Can Sri Lanka put a dent in Australia’s push for a perfect tour? See our free betting picks for the first ODI in Colombo on Wednesday, February 12.
Sri Lanka v AustraliaFirst ODI Betting Odds & Game Info |
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|---|---|
| Best odds | Sri Lanka +220 at Nags.bet | Australia -277.78 at Nags.bet |
| When | Wednesday, February 12 – 9:30am IST |
| Where | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
| Watch live | Seven, 7Plus |
Australia take on Sri Lanka this Wednesday afternoon in Colombo to kick off a two-match ODI series as they continue their preparation for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
Recent form suggests Australia will be tough to beat. They are the second-ranked ODI team in the world, while many players in this squad were a part of the recent 2-0 Test series victory. As a result, they are clear favourites with leading cricket bookmakers at -277.78.
Conditions are expected to heavily suit the bowlers, particularly spin, as none of the last five ODI games at the venue have produced scores over 250. Throughout that period 84 wickets have fallen as well, so expect the batting depth of both sides to be tested.
Sri Lanka are expected to roll out a very similar squad to what we saw in their most recent ODI series against New Zealand, with experienced trio of Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis making up the top order.
Emerging star Kamindu Mendis forms a middle-order pairing with captain Charith Asalanka, while the bowling lineup is set to change depending on the conditions. However, it will almost certainly feature off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana and fast bowler Asitha Fernando.
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For the Aussies, there will be plenty of changes after Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitch Marsh and Marcus Stoinis were ruled out from the initial squad.
Travis Head and Matt Short are expected to open, with Jake Fraser-McGurk likely to miss out after a lean summer in Australia. The in-form Steve Smith does his best work in ODI cricket at first drop, while Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell are tipped to feature in the middle order.
Depending on the pitch, Australia may choose three spinners, with Cooper Connolly, Adam Zampa and Tanveer Sangha all in the mix. Meanwhile, the pace attack is likely to include two of Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis, Sean Abbott and Spencer Johnson.
Coming off a 2-0 Test series victory, many of the Australian squad will have already adjusted to Sri Lankan conditions. The Aussies have more quality in all areas and, as strong favourites with top sports betting sites, should be too good for Sri Lanka.
Steve Smith is the most obvious choice to score well in this game, given his excellent form. A known performer in the subcontinent, Australia’s stand-in skipper has scored four hundreds in his last five Tests, while in ODI cricket he has passed 30 in four of his past five games. Expected to play the anchor role through the middle overs, back Smith to pass 50 at +150 with major online bookmakers.
For Sri Lanka, Kusal Mendis is the player to watch. The wicketkeeper-batsman was Sri Lanka’s best performer in the most recent Test series, while he also scored 54 in his most recent ODI. Coming in at three he has a great opportunity to bat through the innings and top score for his side, paying +375 with Nags.bet.
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