Talk about being in a soup, we have 2 teams in the same boat as they clash on Monday to avoid what could well be a world cup ending third consecutive defeat.
Team's summary:
Australia had all major boxes ticked a month before the World Cup but they were drubbed in the bilaterals in India and South Africa, repeated again in the World Cup leaving them to win at least six of their remaining seven to stand a chance of qualifying for the knockouts.
Sri Lanka, despite the smashing defeat in the Asia Cup final, had a lot of things going their way when they landed on the Indian shore. However, they have now conceded the highest total in CWC history against South Africa and have ended up getting the dubious record of not being able to defend 344 against Pakistan.
Injuries have had a say on both teams, while Travis Head has still not recovered, meaning Australia continues to play only 2 spin options, we've Dasun Shanaka the Sri Lankan captain being ruled out from the World Cup due to a thigh injury. Chamika Karunaratane replaces him.Kusal Mendis to lead the team.
Australia had a torrid time in the field vs South Africa and would like to rectify it as soon as Monday, they are the only team to not score 200 in this tournament so far and SL looks like the ideal opponent to correct the stat.
Lucknow has traditionally spun and Australia has been the victim of spin lately, Sri Lanka will try to utilize this weakness to get off the mark in the tournament
Key matchups:
With Australia's right-handed heavy middle order, Wellalage vs Smith and Labuschagne could well prove crucial on whether Australia is able to break free in the middle overs
Sri Lanka is one of Mitchell Starc's favorite opponents. With their top order going great guns, the initial burst of Starc could be a decisive factor.
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Australia Probable XI: Highly unlikely to have any changes despite their heavy loss to SA due to limited resources. Green vs Stoinis continues to be a dilemma.
D Warner, M Marsh, S Smith, M Labuschagne, J Inglis(wk), M Stoinis, G Maxwell, M Starc, P Cummins(C), A Zampa, J Hazlewood.
Sri Lanka Probable XI: With Shanka being ruled out, Dimuth Karunaratne may replace him. Pathiranas' two dismal outings should bring back Kasun Rajitha.
Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Parera, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(C/wk), S Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madhushanka, Maheesh Theekshana.
Interesting stats and facts:
- Australia and Sri Lanka have met 10 times in World Cups. Australia won 8, Sri Lanka 1 in the all-important 1996 finals
- Steven Smith needs 101 runs to reach 1000 World Cup runs.
- Mitchell Starc(52) needs 4 more wickets to be the leading left-arm wicket-taker in World Cup history ahead of Wasim Akram(55)
Match details:
Date: 16 October 2023
Time: 2 PM (IST)
Venue: Ekana Stadium, Lucknow.
Pitch and weather report: It will be 31 degrees Celsius, the weather is expected to be humid, the pitch will be dry, and the team winning the toss should bat first, no signs of dew in the second innings, therefore we predict the team batting first will have the upper hand.
Dream 11:
