START: 12:00 PM (UK Time)
VENUE: Optus Stadium
Words by Ciaran Coyle
The 19th game of the ICC T20 World Cup sees hosts Australia looking to kick start their campaign against Sri Lanka in Perth.
The Aussies come into this Super 12 fixture on the back of a poor display in their opening game of the tournament, with New Zealand coming away with an 89 run victory over Aaron Finch’s side in Sydney.
Sri Lanka on the other hand enjoyed much better fortunes in their first game, seeing off Ireland in emphatic fashion to claim a 9 wicket victory in Hobart on Sunday.
Kusal Mendis scored 68 off 43 balls to help see his side over the line and chase Ireland’s total of 129 with 5 overs to spare.
Following the Lankans shock defeat to Namibia in their first preliminary round game, it was in doubt whether Chris Silverwood’s team would qualify for the Super 12. Wins against the UAE and the Netherlands spared their blushes in the end.
Whilst Australia will be hot favourites to pick up their first win of the tournament in this fixture, the two sides have a fairly even record when playing one another, with Sri Lanka winning 10 of the 25 T20 matches played against Tuesday’s opponents.
Andrew McDonald’s side are also without a win in their last 5 T20 Internationals, with their last victory coming at home against the West Indies on October 7.
Another defeat for Australia would see them all but eliminated from the competition, with the prospect of having to inflict a heavy defeat on England in Melbourne on Friday to have any chance of keeping their hopes alive.
A win for Sri Lanka could see captain Dasun Shanaka lead his side to a 4th successive victory in T20 internationals and take the Lankans to the top of Group 1 having played a game more than the other 4 teams in the table.
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