Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Sport
George Clarke

Australia put into bat by Sri Lanka

Australia will bat first in the opening T20 international of the series against Sri Lanka in Sydney. (AAP)

Australia captain Aaron Finch will look to get his side off to a fast start at the SCG after being put in to bat by Sri Lanka counterpart Dasun Shanaka for Friday's T20 international.

Shanaka won the toss and opted to bowl with Finch set to skipper the side for the first time since their T20 World Cup win and the exit of head coach Justin Langer last week.

Finch said he would have made the same call if he had won the toss.

"We would've bowled first but we're not too fussed," Finch said.

"The wicket has been used before throughout the summer so hopefully we can post a score and defend it later on."

Australia have made two changes with the BBL's top run-scorer, Ben McDermott, opening the batting alongside Finch.

England-born Josh Inglis debuts at No.3 but Matthew Wade retains the wicketkeeping duties.

Sri Lanka have not beaten Australia in T20 cricket since 2017.

Australia XI: Ben McDermott, Aaron Finch (capt), Josh Inglis, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.

Sri Lanka XI: Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Dasun Shanaka (capt), Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Binura Fernando.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.