Cricket: Commonwealth Bank Series – Australia v Sri Lanka Odds and Betting Preview

Story by George Coombs on 2012-02-10 00:08:50

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – The third ODI of the Commonwealth Bank Series is held in Perth on Friday as the in-form hosts Australia entertain Sri Lanka at the WACA. The Australians beat India in the opening game of this triangular tournament before India beat Sri Lanka at this venue on Wednesday. Sri Lanka have faced Australia in eight ODIs at this ground without any success and face a difficult task to end this run today.

Australia are the over-whelming 4/9 favourites with BetVictor (bet £9 to make £4 profit) for this tie while Sri Lanka can be backed at an industry best price of 11/5 with Skybet and bet365.

Australia are a side full of confidence having recorded a Test series whitewash over India and they have carried this momentum through to the ODI series dispatching India with relative ease in their opening game. The team has flourished under the captaincy of Michael Clarke and he has a very strong bowling attack to call on, which is full of variety. The top order failed to deliver in the first ODI against India and strong performances from the Hussey brothers and Matthew Wade ensured the hosts reached a respectable total.

Sri Lanka take to the square in Perth only two days after losing to India on the same wicket and they will need to improve to stop this destructive Australian team. Sri Lanka’s batsmen made starts but no one managed to go on and make a big score in that game. The Sri Lankan selectors were left to rue their decision not to include a specialist spinner on a pitch that offered something to the India spinners and Rangana Herath could be in line for a recall on Friday.

In the Top Australia Batsman betting, the explosive David Warner heads the market at 7/2 with Betfred and bet365. He was quiet with the bat against India after getting out cheaply but he should relish the battle with Lasith Malinga here on a bouncy wicket. Ricky Ponting also failed to make runs in Melbourne but is quoted at 4/1 with BetVictor today while the skipper Michael Clarke and Matthew Wade are both priced up at 9/2 with bet365 and Blue Square respectively. The Hussey brothers come next in the betting with Mike quoted at 6/1 with Ladbrokes while David Hussey is a 7/1 chance with Skybet.

Kumar Sangakkara has been installed as the most prominent player in the Top Sri Lanka Batsman betting and he is a general 7/2 chance with most firms. Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga can be backed at 9/2 with Blue Square while Dinesh Chandimal and Mahela Jayawardene are priced up at 5/1 with bet365 and Ladbrokes respectively. Chandimal is a new face in the side but have put together a string of decent performances and another today will help to secure his place in the ODI side. Dilshan looks more confident now he no longer is required to skipper the side and punters should not be surprised to see a big performance from him against Australia.

Play begins at 04.20 GMT on Friday 10th February and punters can watch the action on Sky Sports 2.

Australia v Sri Lanka – Match Result Odds
Australia v Sri Lanka – Top Australia Batsman Odds
Australia v Sri Lanka – Top Sri Lanka Batsman Odds