Australia and Sri Lanka will play out two dead rubber T20's from the MCG on Friday and Sunday night after the Aussies claimed a 3-0 series win. There will still be pride on the line for the tourists, and an opportunity to test strategy before the upcoming T20 World Cup later this year.
See our preview and betting tips for the 4th game from the MCG on Friday night below and remember to check out our Cricket Tips page for previews throughout the Aussies tour of Asia.
Australia vs Sri Lanka 4th T20 Betting Tips
MCG, Friday 18th February, 7.10pm (AEDT)
Australia
Predicted XI: Ben McDermott, Aaron Finch, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Moises Henriques, Matthew Wade, Ashton Agar, Daniel Sams, Mitch Starc, Jhye Richardson, Josh Hazlewood
Hard to know where the Australians will go at the selcection table on Friday night as the series is already wrapped up and they'll likely be hoping to test out a few new things as they prepare for the tour of Asia and the World Cup. I expect Moises Henriques to get a go in the middle order, while Ashton Agar will likely get another crack, probably not at the top of the order this time. Marcus Stoinis could get a well deserved rest to make way.
Jhye Richardson has been the unlucky paceman to miss out so far this series, so he could finally get a chance. The Aussies could really go in any direction here, so don't be shocked to see another weird move along the lines of Agar opening the batting.
Sri Lanka
Predicted XI: Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Dasun Shanaka, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Jeffrey Vandersay, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara
It's been a tough battle for the Sri Lankans in this series, losing two of the three games pretty coprehensively. They were more compettiive in the 2nd game, taking it all the way to a super over, but all in all their batting has just been not good enough.
Pathum Nissanka has been the standout at the top of the order, smashing a series high 125 runs so far at an average fo 41.66. The bowling stocks have also taken a massive hit, with Wanindu Hasaranga and Binura Fernando both being ruled out after positive COVID-19 tests.
Match Prediction
Hard to envision the Sri Lankans being super competitive with two of their best bowlers out and the batting order in their current form. Regardless of who the Aussies trot out on Friday night, they will probably be a little too strong at the MCG, which is not a ground that usually favours the wristy Sri Lankan batsmen because of the long square boundaries. I think the Aussies win here, but with the $1.15 price tag we'll have to look elsewhere for value.
I think Glenn Maxwell is good odds to be the top runscorer for the Aussies. I think there's a chacne that Aaron Finch keeps being tested at No.3 or even further down the order, as Ben McDermott and David Warner look like certainties to open at the World Cup. With no Warner in the side at the moment, I can see a roadmap to Maxwell opening the batting on Friday night. Whether it eventuates or not, $4.50 for him to top score for the Aussies is still solid value.
Maxwell Top AUS Runscorer
$4.50
Hard to ignore Josh Hazlewood's form at the moment too. The Aussie paceman has taken a series high eight wickets through three games so far at a ridiculous average of just 8.12 and a strike rate of 9.0. Back him to take 2+ wickets on Friday night.
Hazlewood 2+ Wickets
$1.90
