Commonwealth Bank Series 6th ODI: Australia v Sri Lanka Odds and Betting Preview

Story by George Coombs on 2012-02-17 00:34:12

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – Australia entertain Sri Lanka at the Sydney Cricket ground on Friday with the visitors still searching for their first win in the Commonwealth Bank Series. Ricky Ponting will lead Australia as Michael Clarke is out with a hamstring injury and he will hope the side can bounce back from their first defeat against India in Adelaide.

Australia are the odds-on favorites priced up at 1/2 with Stan James for this second meeting between the sides. The Kangaroos defeated Sri Lanka by five runs at the WACA in game three and Sri Lanka can be backed at 7/4 with most firms to make amends for that loss.

Australia will make two changes for this match with Michael Hussey replacing the injured skipper and Ryan Harris is rested which should open the door for Ben Hifenhaus or Brett Lee to come into the side. It has been deemed controversial in many people’s eyes to hand the captaincy back to Ponting for this one game but Clarke’s vice-captain David Warner was deemed to be too inexperienced with the veteran Ponting in the side,

Sri Lanka still remain rooted to the foot of the triangular series table following their draw with India last Tuesday. They have a decent record at this venue and have won five of their past seven ODIs here which should give them motivation ahead of this game. The last time the two sides met the result was settled in the final over and another close game is expected at Sydney on Friday.

In the Top Australia Batsman betting, David Warner has been installed as the general 7/2 favourite while Ricky Ponting is an industry best price of 4/1 with Ladbrokes The skipper for the day really needs a big score to silence his critics having scored only nine runs in three matches and it remains to be seen whether the added burden of the captaincy will be the motivation he needs. Matthew Wade and Michael Hussey can be backed at 11/2 with Stan James and Bodog respectively while Peter Forrest is a 7/1 chance at Boylesports. David Hussey has been in fine form in recent months and having been named player of the tournament in the recent Big Bash League he has shone on the international stage. He has scored two half-centuries in the series so far and can be backed at 7/1 with Skybet to top his side’s run scoring charts today.   

Kumar Sangakkara heads the Top Sri Lanka Batsman betting, priced up at 7/2 with Ladbrokes and Skybet. The wicket-keeper will hope to reach a milestone with the bat in this game needing only 11 runs to become the third Sri Lanka to amass 10,000 runs in this format of the game. Next in the betting comes Tillakarante Dilshan and Dinesh Chandimal who are quoted at 9/2 with Sportingbet and Chandimal will hope to build on his top scoring performance against India. Dilshan’s opening partner Upul Tharanga an 11/2 chance with Sportingbet has been out of form in this series having made three scores below double figures and he needs a decent performance today to keep his place in the side. Mahela Jayawardene is a 5/1 chance with Paddy Power in this market while Angelo Mathews is quoted at a standout 9/1 with Sportingbet.

Clint McKay is the 3/1 market leader in the Top Australia Bowler betting and he has been the pick of the Australia bowlers in the series mixing up his pace very well. Mitchell Starc, Brett Lee and Ben Hilfenhaus are all quoted at 7/2 with Ladbrokes while spinner Xavier Doherty is a 4/1 chance with bet365. Docherty has been experiencing some back problems but should be fit to play on Friday.

Lasith Malinga is the most prominent player in the Top Sri Lanka Bowler market and is available at 9/4 with Blue Square. Chanaka Welegedara, Nuwan Kulasekara and Rangana Herath are all priced up at 9/2 with Ladbrokes while all-rounder Angelo Matthews is a 5/1 shot with bet365.

Play begins at 03.20 GMT on Friday 17th February and all the action is broadcast live on Sky Sports 1.

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