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Sri Lanka vs Australia 2nd ODI Tips - Australia’s Batting Under Pressure Against Masterful Spin

By Nikhil Kalro

13 Feb 2025

Nikhil Kalro 13 Feb 2025

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Sri Lanka defeated Australia by 49 runs in the second ODI
Charith Asalanka scored a crucial century, boosting Sri Lanka's total
Sri Lanka's spinners were instrumental in restricting Australia

Sri Lanka and Australia (Getty Images)

Sri Lanka vs Australia Second ODI Preview
Sri Lanka Form
Sri Lanka Team News
Australia Form
Australia Team News

Sri Lanka vs Australia Second ODI Preview

Sri Lanka came storming back with spirit and fight as they beat Australia in a terrific come-from-behind win by 49 runs. Sri Lanka were in massive trouble at one point at 135 for 8 before a sensational hundred from captain Charith Asalanka carried the hosts to a respectable total of 214.

Sri Lanka then turned the heat on with the ball to have Australia tottering at 85 for 6, before they were eventually bowled out for 165.

The game was set up for Australia with an all-round effort from the pace bowlers. Spencer Johnson, Aaron Hardie and Nathan Ellis picked up two wickets apiece while Sean Abbott took three wickets.

Asalanka picked up the slack for Sri Lanka with 127 off 126 balls with 14 fours and five sixes. He was given able company by Dunith Wellalage, who managed 30 off 34 balls.

Australia were then restricted to 31 for 4 in the 10th over by some accurate fast bowling. Alex Carey resuscitated Australia with 41 off 38 in a counter-attacking role while Hardie chipped in with 32 off 37 balls. Sean Abbott also added 20 off 23 to give Australia some hope but it was far from enough as the visitors were bowled out in the 34th over.

Sri Lanka Form

For a large part of the first ODI, it looked like Sri Lanka would crumble to yet another defeat before the bowlers found some consistency and accuracy in their bowling.

That was led by the fast bowlers first before the spinners came into their own led by Maheesh Theekshana, who managed 4 for 40. Wellalage also managed two wickets while Wanindu Hasaranga and Asalanka picked up one wicket each.

That will continue to be the modus operandi going forward for the second ODI too with the spinners forcing Australia off their game. The question remains whether Sri Lanka have enough depth with their batting to be able to sustain this momentum.

Sri Lanka Team News

Sri Lanka will continue to pile on the misery with their spinners but they could make a change to their batting order.

Australia Form

The first match was the only evidence on this tour that Australia struggled against spin. Shot selection and patience came into play as they were unable to keep out Sri Lanka’s trial by spin. Their bowling, on the other hand, was stellar from the outset.

"Obviously four overs in T20 cricket versus 10 overs is a little bit different, but the way I sequence my overs is pretty similar," Spencer Johnson said.

"I feel like I'm ready to play for Australia and I've had a little bit of a taste in T20 cricket and now a couple of ODIs. So heading to Pakistan it's exciting and I'm ready to go."

Australia Team News

Australia may consider bringing in an additional spinner for an allrounder considering these conditions are spin-friendly for the majority of the game.

Verdict

Sri Lanka v Australia - 2nd ODI

Betting on this match will be tricky. Sri Lanka know these conditions well but Australia have the better team, man for man, on paper.

On surfaces like this, however, matches usually come down to the level of local knowledge, which Sri Lanka mastered in the first ODI.

Depending on your risk profile, it may be tempting to go in for a Sri Lanka win and pick up the higher odds.

Sri Lanka Win

Match Result

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