Australia brutalised Sri Lanka to get their home summer off to a great start in the first match of the series.
The home side will be looking to build on that while the tourists will be keen to bounce back.
Photo Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Second T20I | Wednesday 30 October | The Gabba, Brisbane | 10:10
To WinAustralia 2/13
Tie 35/1
Sri Lanka 9/2
Australia
Australia have struggled when under pressure lately but weren’t placed under any at all in the first match of the series thanks to a great start.
The hosts should be keen to impose themselves on Sri Lanka again after a big win first up generated by a top performance all round.
David Warner’s big hundred in Adelaide answered the question of whether his white-ball form would be affected by his slump in Tests with an emphatic no.
Australia’s bowlers bullied Sri Lanka as much as their batsmen, that was always likely to be the strategy though, it was surprising however that Adam Zampa finished as the pick of the bowlers.
Deploying Warner, Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell as the top three has signalled Australia’s intent to be aggressive right from the outset.
Australia’s top three look solid, but the middle order is an untested combination who might need some time to settle.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka need to bounce back quickly or face a very long tour under the thumb of their hosts.
They were well-beaten first up but could make this series interesting if they can find ways to put Australia under pressure.
Sri Lanka didn’t adjust to the surface well with either bat or ball at the Adelaide Oval. The Bowlers got their lengths all wrong while the shot selection from the batsmen was poor.
After winning a series in Pakistan with a makeshift side, the return of the regulars has brought a return of Sri Lanka’s regular problems.
It will be interesting to see how Sri Lanka respond to Kasun Rajitha conceding the most runs by a bowler in a T20I. Sri Lanka do not have another frontline pace option in their squad besides Isuru Udana who has fallen out of favour of late.
Verdict: Australia
The hosts should take this at a canter
