Key Stats

• An Australian win at the MCG will see the hosts notch their eighth straight T20I win for the first time
• Skipper Aaron Finch (Aus) has scored only one fifty in his last 15 T20Is
• Australia have won the past eight H2Hs with Sri Lanka
• Sri Lanka have not won a single match in eight of their previous 12 bi-lateral T20I series
• The Aussies have won their last seven matches chasing in T20Is

Josh Hazlewood’s return a success

Australia’s metronomic seamer Josh Hazlewood missed the last four Ashes Tests when suffering a side injury.

Hazlewood took 4/12 in the first match and his eight wickets in the series so far are three above anyone else involved. The 31-year-old is 3.25 to take the most wickets for his country in this 4th T20I.

Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa sat out the third T20I and yet Sri Lanka were still restricted to only 121 for six. Kane Richardson stepped in with 3/21 to illustrate the team’s strength in depth

Glenn Maxwell top scored in third win

Ashton Agar moved up the order to open in an Aussie reshuffle provoked by Steven Smith sitting out with concussion. Maheesh Theekshana took 3/24 to give the tourists faint hope. But a cautious 35 off 36 balls from out of form skipper Aaron Finch steadied the ship.

Our world champions take the series against Sri Lanka! ?

Another excellent display from our T20 boys – the final two matches of the series will be played in Melbourne #AUSvSL pic.twitter.com/fXokl3Dupb

— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) February 15, 2022

Then Glenn Maxwell played his best innings of the series (39 off 26), including an audacious switch-hit six against the spin of Jeffrey Vandersay.

Maxwell’s innings was a reminder of the good form he displayed in the last IPL and BBL and he’s good value to top score again at 4.50. ‘The Big Show’ averages 57.83 in T20Is he has played against Sri Lanka, which is highest average against any nation.

Another Australian batter to pay attention to is Marcus Stoinis. In his last two innings in the BBL he has made 75* (27 balls) and 29* (12 balls). Both Stoinis and Maxwell play for the Melbourne Stars and know the MCG well.

Pathum Nissanka is the leading run scorer for the series

Despite the 3-0 scoreline there is much for 0Sri Lanka to take from the series as they build for the T20 World Cup in October. Pathum Nissanka scored 36, 73 and 10 in the series and has been the standout Lankan.

Nissanka opens the innings and his consistency, something lacking elsewhere in the order, makes him a best batter play at 3.50. He’s favourite in the market for a reason.

Conversely, Nissanka’s opening partner Danushka Gunathilaka has posted scores of 1, 0 and 9 in the three matches so far. He is under pressure to contribute.

Covid-19 troubles for tourists

After a positive Covid-19 result just ahead of the series, Kusal Mendis’ looked off the pace on his return. His dismissal contributed to a collapse to 40 for four, but Chandimal and Dasun Shanaka combined to add 47 for the fifth wicket, but the total was well below par.

Any Sri Lankan hopes of a series comeback were quashed when Wanindu Hasaranga was tested positive for Covid-19. The big money IPL buy is one of the few big match stars the tourists have. Without him, Australia’s strong tag as series favourites is underlined.

Binura Fernando is unavailable after testing positive for Covid-19. Sri Lanka could use his pace in heir beleaguered attack, which has become heavily reliant on spin.

The Aussies have the upper hand and should extend lead

The H2Hs between Australia and Sri Lanka now sees the hosts lead 12-8 after winning the last eight straight. In the initial year of T20 cricket, the Aussie national side didn’t get to grips with the shortest format. The Big Bash has given them a stronger foundation and a first T20 World Cup crown last autumn has all the momentum heading Down Under.

It’s impossible to look beyond an Australian win. They won the first and third matches comfortably. Even when Sri Lanka managed to bat at their best, +they could only force a second match Super Over, which they lost quickly.

You won’t get rich backing the home side, but a winning bet is better than a high-priced loser! So back the Australians even at a very skinny 1.10.

Australia squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Josh Inglis, Daniel Sams, Ben McDermott, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa.

Sri Lanka squad: Dasun Shanaka (captain), Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka, Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Ramesh Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamil Mishara, Chamika Karunaratne, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Thushara, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrama, Shiran Fernando.