MONDAY T20 WORLD CUP: The Edge previews Australia v Sri Lanka with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
Australia v Sri Lanka
MATCH OVERVIEW:
The T20 World Cup continues on Betdaq Exchange on Monday! We start a new week with the biggest game of Group B on Monday as Australia face co-hosts Sri Lanka in. Pallekele. This is the game that should have decided who finishes top of the group, but it’s now arguably a must-win for Australia after their shock 23 run loss to Zimbabwe on Friday. That result was the shock of the tournament, and now Australia are under pressure. Blessing Muzarabani produced career-best figures of 4/17 as Australia collapsed early in the inning, eventually to be bowled out for 146 chasing 170.
It was a reminder that this Australian side is not the force of old without Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood – possibly highlighted that England (on paper) had a great Ashes to finally win an away Ashes series, but threw that chance in the bin with reckless batting and behaviour off the pitch. As things stand in Group B, Sri Lanka sit top with four points from two games and a massive net run rate – Zimbabwe should beat Ireland, so Australia might need a favour off Sri Lanka even if they win here. Sri Lanka could have been beaten by Ireland too, but Ireland were exceptionally poor in the field; highlighting their poor fixture list and lack of match time for the players.
What a chance for Sri Lanka here though to knock out the the 2021 champions – you wouldn’t be surprised if Sri Lanka have asked for spinning conditions too. Obviously the ICC oversee the tournament and the wickets, but it will be fascinating to see how Australia deal with Sri Lankan conditions if the wicket does spin. A fantastic game awaits!
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
Pallekele is a lovely ground; another bucket list cricket ground really. The pitch here traditionally offers something for the spinners as the game goes on – it can grip and turn, which is obviously a massive advantage for Sri Lanka but as I said, the ICC oversee things here so it will be very interesting to see how the wicket plays. Rain has been around Sri Lanka in recent weeks – keep an eye on the radar as always. Sri Lanka scored 225 in the opening game here, but that was against Oman and then Ireland smashed them too. I’d have an open mind on scoring, but you’d still probably want to bat first and put runs on the board here.
RECOMMENDED BET:
Australia are favourites here and it’s hard to argue with that – but I do feel the 1.43 is a little short with their injury list. Obviously the Zimbabwe game brought that into full focus. The thing about Sri Lanka is they were pretty much totally outplayed by England in their series coming into this tournament. They just aren’t the force of old, and they are probably relying on Australia struggling in the conditions. However, we did see a big score here in the first game too so that might be less of a factor. I’m going to keep stakes small here, but I do feel Sri Lanka are the value play at 3.15 – I just expect a closer game than those odds suggest.
The Edge Says:
One point win Sri Lanka to beat Australia at 3.15 with Betdaq Exchange
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/WCAuSl
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
I’d be looking to support whoever bats first in this one for two reasons – if the wicket is very good I think we can expect a high score. If it is a Pallekele wicket that slows down as the game goes on, then the team batting second will have a tougher job. Sri Lanka obviously do have some quality spinners, and that could easily decide the game in either innings in the middle overs. Also keep an eye on the radar, for anything that might bring and obviously the trading angles around a reduced game.
