🏏ICC Men's T20 W C 2026: Group B, M 30: AUS vs SL at Pallekele🏏 - Page 2

Australia have lost at least two wickets during the power play in each of their last five men’s T20Is, losing 14 in total across that stretch, after they had lost more than one wicket during that period in only one of their previous seven innings in the format.

Sri Lanka have won their last two consecutive men’s T20Is – against Oman and Ireland – after winning only one of their previous six matches in the format; they will be aiming for back-to-back wins at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium for the first time since November 2015 after winning by 105 runs against Oman in their last match there.

Australia have lost three of their last four matches at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, with each of the four matches won by the team batting first on the day; in fact, Australia have been unsuccessful in their last three run chases at the tournament after failing only once across their previous 12 chases.

Match 30, the result of which is of great consequence in Group B. It's now or never for Australia if they want to keep their fate in their own hands. The shock loss to Zimbabwe has truly stirred the pot and it's all to play for here in Pallekele. All eyes will be on whether captain Mitchell Marsh makes a return from injury. He's yet to take the field in this tournament, but he did take part in the training session yesterday and seemed to be hitting the ball well. If ever Australia need their captain, it's now, having looked lackluster in the opening couple of games.

Sri Lanka arrive after a commanding win over Oman at this same venue. It was a day game where they were put into bat and smashed 225. The true test for them, though, begins here, first with a game against Australia and then against Zimbabwe. A win today will take them into the next round while a loss will complicate things.

Originally posted by: Viswasruti

Team News:

Australia

Australia might get a boost in the form of Mitchell Marsh's return. Marcus Stoinis said that the all-rounder was to have a training session on the eve of the game and that he's confident of returning. If Marsh comes through well, Glenn Maxwell might have to sit out. Stoinis also confirmed that his hand was fine after he took a knock in the last game.

Probable XI: Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Cameron Green, Tim David, Matt Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Matt Kuhnemann

I can count on S. Smith he should guide Aus to be in the game ( same as Tilak did in last 2 game) smith Replaced & included in place of Hazelwood in the team as ICC granted permission

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field

Australia on brink as Sri Lanka eye Super Eights spot

If Marsh is fit, a big call will need to be made on who misses out given Renshaw has impressed for Australia

Big picture: Australia's World Cup on the line

Australia have no room for error now. Mathematically they won't be eliminated with a defeat against Sri Lanka, but it would leave them needing something close to a miracle. For Sri Lanka, the stakes aren't quite as high, but with a confident Zimbabwe as their last opposition in the group stage they would ideally not want to leave their fate uncertain. A win would lock them into the Super Eights.

T20 World Cups hold an odd position in Australia men's cricket. Poor ones, of which there have been a few over the years, don't really lead to calls for wholesale changes that defeats in marquee Tests can do or underperforming ODI World Cup campaigns (as rare as they are). But it's fair to say, more people are now engaged with Australia's fortunes following the loss to Zimbabwe. A group stage exit would be a significant failure.

The initial fallout to that loss has raised questions about both the batting and bowling. Only taking two wickets has shone a light on a lack of strike power, particularly when Adam Zampa is kept quiet, but in truth Australia should still have been able to chase 170 given their whole T20 philosophy over the last 18 months has been the depth and power of the order. With form questions over a few players coming in, and lack of cricket for others, the injury to Mitchell Marsh was especially untimely.

Sri Lanka had enough to get past Ireland (aided by the latter's fielding) and were comfortably too strong for Oman. That contest was a nice ego boost for the batting with Kusal Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake and the under-pressure captain Dasun Shanka flaying half-centuries. In their opening game, Kamindu Mendis had produced an eye-catching display. They certainly have the tools to cause Australia's undermanned attack problems.

These two sides have not played each other in a T20I since the 2022 World Cup when Marcus Stoinis hunted down the target with an 18-ball 59. And while no one is really an unknown in international cricket these days given the franchise game and accessibility of footage, it is worth noting Australia have never faced Matheesha Pathirana, this generation's slinger, although in all T20s only Marsh from a potential top order has been dismissed by him. Glenn Maxwell has 26 runs off ten balls against him, Tim David 21 off 12.

Form guide

Sri Lanka W W L L L(last five completed matches, most recent first)

Australia L W L L L

In the spotlight: Dunith Wellalage and Tim David

Left-arm spin-bowling allrounder Dunith Wellalage has yet to play a T20I against Australia, but in ODIs he has had quite the time of it with 16 wickets at 20.12 from eight matches which included making his debut as a 19-year-old in 2022. Eleven of those wickets have come at the Premadasa, in five matches, compared to four in two games at Pallekele, but Australia have not always combated left-arm spin well. He has started the tournament with tidy figures of 1 for 28 and 1 for 17. He shapes as even more important given the tournament-ending injury to Wanindu Hasaranga and the uncertain form of Dushan Hemantha who went for 45 against Oman.

Dunith Wellalage removed Tom Banton with a flighted delivery

Tim David's elevation up the order was a key part of Australia's planning for this tournament during 2025 when their T20 game clicked nicely. But the hamstring injury he picked up on Boxing Day for Hobart Hurricanes put a spanner in works because it has left David short of match time. He wasn't ready for the series in Pakistan and was left out against Ireland. Facing Zimbabwe, he picked out short fine leg second ball as part of the powerplay collapse. If Australia are to go deep in this tournament, David will need to fire.

Stats and trivia

• The two wickets Australia claimed against Zimbabwe was the fewest they had taken in a full 20-over first innings in a T20I

• Josh Inglis needs 39 runs for 1000 in T20Is

• Travis Head has averaged 12.83 in his last 12 T20I innings with a best of 31

• Sri Lanka have not beaten Australia at the T20 World Cup since 2009

• Australia hold the record for the highest T20I total at this venue: 263 for 3. Maxwell made his career-best 145 not out off 65 balls that day

Teams:

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis(w), Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka(c), Kamindu Mendis, Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana

Australia (Playing XI): Mitchell Marsh(c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Tim David, Josh Inglis(w), Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa