Sri Lanka will be out for a clean sweep in the second ODI on Friday, after a gritty win in game one. Can the undermanned Australians bounce back? Or will Sri Lanka win a seventh straight ODI series at home? Jack Tobin brings you his full match preview, best bet, and prop bet below!
Sri Lanka vs Australia: 2nd ODI Preview & Betting Tips
Colombo, Friday 14th February, 3:30pm AEDT
Sri Lanka
Predicted XI: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando
Sri Lanka looked in a world of trouble at 5/55 and later at 8/135, but Charith Asalanka produced a magical innings to get Sri Lanka to a defendable 214. Asalanka’s 127 off 126 was the only score above 31 for his side, and accounted for 59% of Sri Lanka’s total score. Asalanka was on 50 off 71 balls when Sri Lanka lost their eighth wicket, but then combined with Eshan Malinga for a 79 run partnership for the ninth wicket, of which Asalanka contributed 77.
Asitha Fernando got Sri Lanka off to a hot start with the ball removing Australian openers Matt Short (0) and Jake Fraser-McGurk (2) within three overs. Maheesh Theekshana then got to work against the middle order taking 4/40, to make sure Australia were never really in the game with the bat.
Sri Lanka’s record at home in one day cricket over the last six years has been nothing short of outstanding. Since 2019 Sri Lanka have played 13 ODI series at home, winning eleven, drawing one and losing one. They have wins against India, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand in that time period, and are on the brink of another win against Australia.
Australia
Predicted XI: Matt Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cooper Connolly, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, Adam Zampa
On the eve of the first ODI, it was announced Mitchell Starc would be out of the Champions Trophy and had returned to Australia due to personal reasons. It saw Australia field a very inexperienced side, with only three players from the 2023 World Cup Final in the side for the first ODI.
Australia’s inexperience showed with the bat as Matt Short (0), Jake Fraser-McGurk (2), and Cooper Connolly (3) had Australia in a hole that they couldn’t recover from at 3/18. Fraser-McGurk’s form continues to be alarming with scores of 10, 41, 16, 13, 7 and 2 in his six ODI’s. 89 runs at an average of 14.83 simply doesn’t cut it, and Australia needs more out of their opener.
Australia’s inexperience with the ball also played out in dramatic fashion, as they failed to capitalise when they had Sri Lanka 8/135. Sean Abbott (economy of 6.78) and Spencer Johnson (6.29) copped plenty of tap from Asalanka, after producing quality spells earlier in the innings.
Match Prediction
Given the side Australia has brought for this series, there is just no margin for error with the bat and has far too heavy a reliance on Steve Smith and Alex Carey. The opening partnership of Short and Fraser-McGruk is becoming a massive issue with the duo averaging just 15 for the first wicket across their last four ODI’s and yet to produce a partnership above 22.
Sri Lanka should improve with the bat compared to Wednesday’s game, which spells further trouble for Australia. For a team that has won twelve of their last fourteen games at home, Sri Lanka are at remarkably good value and Australia’s young side will continue their struggles in ODI cricket.
Sri Lanka to Win
$2.40 (1.5 Units)
Prop Bet
Nobody scored more runs in ODI cricket in 2024 than Kusal Mendis, who smashed 742 runs at an average of 53. Mendis showed glimpses of his brilliance in the first game with a swift 19 off 17 deliveries, and will be looking for a more sustained performance on Friday. Mendis has scored 481 runs at an average of 43.73 in ODI cricket against Australia, and looks set to go big against the Aussies.
Kusal Mendis – Sri Lanka Top Run Scorer
$5.00
