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Sri Lanka and Australia are all set to face each other in the three-match T20I series, starting June 07 in Colombo. The Islanders will be led by all-rounder Dasun Shanaka, while Aaron Finch would be captaining the Aussies.
Ahead of the opening fixture, both teams have announced their playings XIs for the mouth-watering contest. Australia began the proceedings by revealing their playing XI for the series opener on Monday.
The Star duo of David Warner and Steve Smith have returned to the shortest format. Notably, both the players were unavailable for the home T20I series against the same opposition in February earlier this year.
Test skipper Pat Cummins and quality leg-spinner Adam Zampa have missed out due to different reasons. While Cummins have been rested from the T20is, Zampa, who is expecting his first child with his wife, might miss the entire tour. In the absence of these two players, Kane Richardson and Ashton Agar have got the nod.
When it comes to the hosts, they have named a strong XI on Tuesday, which saw the inclusion of IPL stars such as Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamika Karunaratne and Bhanuka Rajapaksa.
The duo of Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis are also named in the Sri Lanka top six. The eye-catching pick is teenage star Matheesha Pathirana, who grabbed everyone’s attention with a distinctive bowling style very similar to Sri Lanka legend Lasith Malinga while playing for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) In IPL 2022.
Here are the playing XIs of both teams for the first T20I:
- Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara
- Australia: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Josh Hazlewood
