After the hectic Test series between India and South Africa and the matches in Pakistan, the upcoming week will focus more on the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier and end with Sri Lanka's T20I in Australia.
The World Cup Qualifier sees 14 teams tussle it out for a place in the T20 World Cup next year in Australia. The matches are in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and going by the results so far, we have no clear winner.
The supposedly best Associate side Scotland lost to Singapore while the next best, and a Test nation, Ireland, lost to UAE. Papua New Guinea, Oman, Hong Kong, Jersey and Netherlands are the other major teams competing and we have a slew of matches coming up from this competition
WATCH OUT FOR:
Jonty Jenner: The Jersey batsman, Jonty Jenner is barely a name known in bigger cricketing circles. With a technique that puts some international batsmen to shame and stroke play matching some of those elite cricketers, Jenner is an understated player of this generation from the Associate sides. He has the rare distinction of substituting for Stuart Broad in a Test match in 2017, but that's about the closest he has gained in terms of fame. In 12 T20Is, he averages 30+ with three half-centuries and a strike rate nearing 130. He will hold a large chunk of Jersey's hope for qualifying to the big event.
Sri Lanka take on Australia
Australia would be relieved that most of Sri Lanka's second-string players that went to Pakistan will not be part of the T20I team for this series. The main players are back in action and thankfully for the Aussies, they aren't as good as the back-up players who helped thrash the best T20I side in the last three years in their backyard.
Meanwhile, the other Steven Smith is also back in action. No, not the one who made Test tons in the Ashes. The T20 Steven Smith, who averages 21.55 and strikes at just over 120 and is easily dismissed in this format.
WATCH OUT FOR:
Bhanuka Rajapaksa: The irresistible left-hander made a lasting impression in Pakistan with his flamboyance and stroke play. His 77 in a match-winning effort was one of the highlights of the Pakistan tour. If he can carry forward that kind of form into Australia, he won't be the least known Sri Lankan by the end of the series.
Head to Sportsbet.io to make your selections and let the ball rolling.
Feature Image Courtesy: AFP / Ian Kington
