Australia and Sri Lanka meet in a Super 12 T20 World Cup match in Perth on Tuesday. We take a look at the game from a betting angle.
Both these sides play their 2nd matches of the Super 12 stage and this is the only game taking place on Tuesday.
AUSTRALIA
Defending Champions and pre-tournament favourites, Australia saw their title defence get off to the worst possible start on Saturday. They won the toss against New Zealand in Sydney electing to field first, but New Zealand got away to an absolute flyer eventually getting 200 for 3 in their 20 overs. All of the Australian bowlers were punished but for betting purposes Josh Hazlewood was top Australian bowler with his 2 wickets for 41 runs off 4 overs.
Australia’s response never got going with David Warner bowled around his legs by Southee on 5 and they were bundled out for 111 in 17.1 overs. Only Glenn Maxwell with 28 off 20 balls showed any real resistance together with Pat Cummins who came in and made 21 off 18 balls also towards the bottom of the innings. The pressure is now firmly on the hosts and they simply cannot afford to lose this one.
SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka got their campaign off to a winning start on Sunday when they beat Ireland by 9 wickets with 5 overs to spare. Sri Lanka had lost the toss and was sent into the field, but their bowlers responded well restricting Ireland to a 128 for 8 in their 20 overs. All of the Sri Lankan bowlers finished with decent figures with the wickets largely split between them. However Theekshana with 2 for 19 off 2 overs and De Silva with 2 for 25 off his 4 overs were the pick.
Sri Lanka were never in trouble and Mendis led the charge with an unbeaten 68 off 43 balls for a comfortable win.
HEAD TO HEAD
Australia and Sri Lanka have met 25 times in T20 International cricket with Australia holding a 15-10 advantage and on Australian soil, Australia have won 8 and lost 3 of their 11 games.
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BETTING – Click here to bet
Australia 1/4
Sri Lanka 33/10
Suggested Bet: Sri Lanka win at 33/10
The bookies certainly expect Australia to bounce back here, but I am not so sure as their morale must be at an all time low after the hammering by New Zealand and their definitely seem to be question marks about the form of many of their players.
Sri Lanka battled their way through the group stages to make the Super 12 and although they have only beaten Ireland, it was an impressive performance and I am backing them to put the pressure on Australia and perhaps even sneak a win.
Suggested Bet: Top Australian Batter, Mitch Marsh at 3/1
Marsh impressed me with his clean hitting in the first match be it, it came to an end all too soon for Australian’s liking.
Both openers looking a bit shaky, my money will be riding on Marsh to be the Top Australian bat.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
