Australia are staring down the barrel of a series defeat after a heroic run chase from the host nation.
The Aussies will need to win two in a row at Colombo if they want to win the ODI series but the Sri Lankans look well prepared to wrap it all up tonight.
With a Test Series looming, no Super League points on offer and the injuries stacking up for the tourists, Australia may look to rest up some of their red ballers and blood some new talent in this series rather than push for a comeback.
Here are my tips for the Fourth ODI.
Sri Lanka vs Australia
Tuesday 21st June, 7:00pm, R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo
Sri Lanka will head into this one as $2.60 underdogs and in my eyes I think that the bookies haven’t got that quite right.
The Aussies are 1-4 in their last five ODI and due to injuries their spin bowling depth has really been exposed.
Australia used 4 spin options in ODI 3 (Labuschagne, Maxwell, Kuhnemann & Head) and they combined for just the 1 wicket.
Kuhnemann & Maxwell will be in the side tonight with Mitch Swepson potentially getting the call up as well.
If the Aussies want a chance at winning they will need to nail their spin bowling plans.
The Sri Lankans however look way too comfortable against the turning ball and $2.60 is a pretty solid price against an Aussie team that just doesn’t look like they’ve got it quite right this tour.
Back Sri Lanka to Win @ $2.60
While the Aussie bowlers have struggled this tour, the batsmen have looked quite comfortable. Travis Head looks to have picked up the conditions well and looked incredibly sharp on the way to his 70* on Sunday night.
Head came in when Australia were in a spot of bother at 4/121. Controlled an end and then exploded with Glenn Maxwell & Cameron Green in the last few overs. The South Australian showed a lot of control and will have gained a lot of confidence from that knock. I reckon he’ll bring a lot of momentum into this one, I’m expecting some fireworks.
Head who didn’t have the greatest Test Tour in Pakistan will be determined to score big in Sri Lanka and I can see him getting some solid centre wicket practice in tonight against the hosts and back him to be our top scorer.
Back Travis Head as Australia’s Top Runscorer @ $6
If you’re looking for a runscorer from the Sri Lankans it’s hard to look past Kusal Mendis who is having a monster series.
He had to retire hurt due to cramping but has been cleared to play tonight and I’m backing him to have another big one.
The Aussies have had no answer to the way he’s played. He’s technically averaging 209 for the series with an 87*, 36 and 86*.
Perhaps the only thing that can stop Mendis is his own muscles but I believe that he will shake these problems off and get the job done tonight.
Back Kusal Mendis as Sri Lanka’s Top Runscorer @ $4.33