Australia rest key bowlers for fourth T20 today
Australia having clinched the series with two matches to spare, are looking to make experiments with more replacements today (16) in the 4th T-20 game against Sri Lanka at the Melbourne cricket stadium. commencing at 1. 40 pm Sri Lanka time. Meanwhile Sri Lanka is having injury concerns with another player paceman Nuwan Thushara who is set to miss the remainder of the series against Australia.
Sri Lanka cricket yesterday confirmed Nuwan Thushara suffered a left side strain while bowling during the 3rd T20I against Australia in Canberra. Thushara has commenced rehabilitation work and will miss the remainder of the series. In addition the off spinner Ramesh Mendis has fractured his right thumb while batting during training. and he is currently undergoing rehabilitation work. Two key bowlers Wanidu Hasaranga and Binura Fernando are already out of the series having tested positive for Covid 19 they have been placed in isolation and will not play the remaining matches and all these are affecting the Sri Lanka team. Meanwhile Sri Lanka is also hoping to give a chance for top order batter Janith Liyanage in place of out of form Dhanuska Gunathilleka but it’s not confirmed and final eleven will be decided today.
Skipper Dasun Shanaka is more worried about their top order batting failure thoughtout the series. After the third T -20 game in Canberra Skipper Shanaka said no positives at the game. “Yet again a poor start from our boys. It’s been throughout the series a major concern. If we had that momentum going from the start we could get more runs on the board. We were 20-30 runs short in this game. We need to bat better in the first six overs of the game”, said the disappointed skipper. Sri Lanka’s only success is bowling but without Hasaranga and Binura Fernando it has to develop once again. Jeffrey Vandasay the replacement for Hasarnaga took a wicket in their Canberra game and more is expected from him today at Melbourne wicket. Maheesh Theekshana the mystery spinner took three wickets in the last game once again has lot of work today.
Either Lahiru Kumara or Shiran Fernanado will replace Nuwan Thushara. If Shiran gets a chance he is going to be debutant today but it was not confirmed yesterday. Lasith Malinga the bowling coach for this series is busy with the paceman during the training and a big boost for the bowlers.
Meanwhile Australian skipper Aaron Finch has confirmed that Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood will miss the rest of the T20 series against Sri Lanka. “There will be a little bit of change over. “Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Pat Cummins aren’t with us in Melbourne, they’re resting before they go to Pakistan.“Obviously they had a such a huge workload with the T20 World Cup straight into the Ashes and some quarantine in between.” Finch also confirmed further changes.“Steve Smith hasn’t traveled with us, so Travis Head will come into the squad,” he said. “So there’s quite a bit of changes in the squad which will keep it fresh and whenever you’ve got particularly inexperienced guys coming into the side, I think it’s a really great opportunity to let them grow and develop as players.” said Skipper Finch. Meanwhile Jhye Richardson the paceman will return to the team for today’s game while key leg spinner Adam Zampa is a certainty to be back after sitting out the third match and he will strengthen the spin department.
The Melbourne pitch is likely to be similar to those used in the BBL, which means plenty of runs on offer. But spinners should be encouraged by the turn and the grip. Melbourne will be cool and cloudy with only a slight chance of rain forecast.