Both the Island countries have started their WC campaign in a devastating way losing both of their opening encounters badly.
For Australia, their batting has been an issue. With so many all-rounders in the team, the batting lineup of Kangaroos has come out vulnerable on tricky Indian pitches, in the first encounter they were bowled out for a mere score of 199 and in the second a score of 177 while chasing 312 in Lucknow. Bowling hasn’t been up to the mark, but they have done well in patches. The fielding of Aussies has also been terrible, till now they have dropped 6 catches in just 2 matches all of them coming in their 2nd match.
Sri Lanka’s batting has been top-notch, Kusal Mendis till now has scored 198 runs with a whopping strike rate of 166.38. Sadeera Samarawickrama scored his first ODI century against Pakistan and alongside Kusal Mendis has been phenomenal for them. All Top 4 run-getters of the Sri Lanka team at least have an average of 40 and a strike rate of 100. Bowling of the Lankan Lions has matched levels with the batting stats, with Pathirana and Wellalage averaging 92.50 and 143 with the ball respectively.
Team Preview
Australia
With Travis Head getting injured Australia went with the opening pair of David Warner and Mitchell Marsh which hasn’t worked out for them. Mitchell Marsh came into this World Cup with sensational form behind his back, but till now he hasn’t done a penny of his potential scoring a 6-ball duck against India and a 15-ball 7 against South Africa. Jos Inglis who replaced Alex Carey for Australia’s encounter against the Proteas dropped a chance and failed to contribute with the bat.
Cummins’s bowling form is also an issue for the Aussies. The Baggy Cap captain now has been terrible with the ball, averaging 104 with an economy rate of 6.78.
Adam Zampa, Australia’s trump card has been taken to the cleaners by the batters, he till now has taken only 1 wicket with an average of 123 and an economy of 6.83.
Sri Lanka
For a bowling unit where your best bowler (economy-wise) is Dasun Shanaka is a very concerning sign. Sri Lanka’s bowling lineup till now has come out as numb, with Matheesha Pathirana being the worst not only bad in length but also in line conceding 14 wides in the first two matches.
Ignoring the excuse of flat decks, Sri Lanka still has looked clueless and options in bowling. They have scored 670 runs but conceded 773 runs. Kusal Perera’s form is also a concern for the Lankan Lions. He was drafted into the playing XI to give Sri Lanka an aggressive start but has failed to do so.
Probable Playing XI
Australia: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey(wk), Gleen Maxwell, Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazelwood.
With Pat Cummins’s terrible bowling form and Stoinis and Green not looking in touch with bat or either ball, Australia can try the services of Sean Abbott who could outcome as a surprise for the opponents with the bat or ball.
Jos Inglis’s terrible outing with the bat and gloves could make way for Alex Carey.
Sri Lanka: Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis(c, wk), Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananajaya De Silva, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka.
Considering Kusal Perera’s poor outings and fewer bowling options available he could make way for any pacer. Dasun Shanaka and Pathirana have been ruled out of this game citing their injuries.
Pitch Report
In the recently concluded IPL, Lucknow’s pitch was the talk of the town, but after the renovation, it has changed completely.
The pitch has a really even coverage of grass that could perhaps offer a bit of pace and bounce to the quicks which was also seen with some balls getting unexpected bounce.
Lucknow’s pitch had something for everyone, even with the old ball bowlers weren’t completely out of the game. A healthy contest is expected between bat and ball.
Players To Watch Out For
Kusal Mendis
Kusal Mendis announced his arrival in the World Cups in the warmups and has continued the same. Lanka’s vice-captain has smashed 14 sixes in just 2 outings. He has scored 198 runs with a magnificent strike rate of 166.38. He suffered an injury while batting against Pakistan which kept him out for wicketkeeping, but he seems fine as of now and is ready to take on the gloves and the bat. His valiant efforts haven’t given Sri Lanka a win he would be looking to change this.
Maheesh Theekshana
Maheesh Theekshana is one of the current best spinners in the world cricket. He can bowl in the powerplay, in the middle overs and in the death also. He has 31 scalps to his name this year in ODIs and was a main man in Sri Lanka’s success at the World Cup Qualifiers and the Asia Cup. In his first World Cup outing he didn’t look threatening at all, but everyone knows his potential. Theekshana would be looking to get the rhythm and lead the inexperienced Sri Lankan bowling unit.
Marnus Labuschagne
Marnus Labuschagne came into the World Cup squad as a replacement but hasn’t done well enough to get his team the taste of victory. He showed his grit and resilience against South Africa scoring a 46 off 74 and when everybody was coming and going he stayed on the crease alongside Mitchell Starc batting out 92 balls and reducing the huge margin of defeat. In the upcoming encounters, he would be hoping to showcase his abilities and make Australia cross the line.
AUS vs SL Dream11 Team for Match 14 of 2023 WC
Note: This is not our final Dream11 Team as we are not aware of the Toss Result/Final Playing XI of both teams at this moment.
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