The two bottom-half teams – Australia and Sri Lanka – will take on each other at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow in the 14th game of the ongoing World Cup on Monday. It is not often that we find Australia in the lower half of the points table, especially in an ICC event like the World Cup.
The Aussies have entered uncharted territory but if there is one team you can’t write off, it is them. Furthermore, it would be a bit premature to count them out with seven of their league-stage matches still remaining.
However, the Pat Cummins-led team came up with a lackluster performance against the Proteas in their previous encounter, dropping as many as five catches to concede 311 runs and in reply, they were skittled out for 177 runs.
Ergo, there are problems of plenty for them and it will be crucial for them to come up with a collective show. They have lacked intent so far in the tournament and they will want to turn the tables.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka could not defend 344 runs in their previous match against Pakistan and their bowling definitely lacks experience. Moreover, they have suffered a huge blow as their skipper Dasun Shanaka has been ruled out with a thigh injury. Kusal Mendis will lead in his place whereas Chamika Karunaratne, the traveling reserve, has been added to the team’s squad.
Match Prediction: A wounded Australia will enter this contest as favorites against depleted Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Squad: Kusal Mendis (c), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka, Chamika Karunaratne.
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc.
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