Australia and Sri Lanka out to kickstart stuttering Cricket World Cup campaigns

Monday 16 October, BRSABVE Cricket Stadium, Lucknow

How to watch Australia v Sri Lanka

Australia and Sri Lanka are both at risk of losing touch with the pacesetters after each started their Cricket World Cup campaign with two losses from as many matches.

Whichever team loses this high-stakes clash is likely to be on the brink of missing out on a semi-final spot, with three losses (and a no-result point) enough to knock out Pakistan on net run-rate at the 2019 edition.

The five-time champions Australia have concerns throughout their line-up as multiple batters are yet to build a solid innings at two attempts, and questions remain over their selection of three frontline quicks.

Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and captain Pat Cummins have each had an impact at times, but it has not been enough to limit the opposition batters in soul-searching losses to India and South Africa.

Timeline set for Travis Head's World Cup return

Sri Lanka have their own worries especially with captain Dasun Shanaka ruled out of the rest of the Cricket World Cup due to injury.

Shanaka picked up a quad injury during the loss to Pakistan and will be sidelined for at least three weeks in a blow to Sri Lanka's hopes of progressing.

Fellow all-rounder Chamika Karunaratnehas has been added to the squad while vice-captain Kusal Mendis is expected to take the reins for the crunch clash with Australia.

**Australia:**Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc.

**Sri Lanka:**Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Kumara, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Chamika Karunaratne, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushan Hemantha

Australia: Glenn Maxwell

The dynamic all-rounder has overcome injury to quickly become a key to Australia’s hopes of progressing to the pointy end of the tournament.

While Maxwell is more renowned for his power-hitting than handy off-spin, Australia’s lack of specialist spinners means the veteran has been thrown the ball more than usual to tackle the dry decks in India.

The 35-year-old has grasped the extra responsibility to deliver a tidy 0/33 against India and was the standout Australia bowler while taking 2/34 in the loss to South Africa.

Maxwell is yet to hit his straps with the bat but has a track record of punishing bowlers with devastating blows, and will need to impress with both bat and ball if the five-time champions are to make a late surge to the semi-finals.

Sri Lanka: Sadeera Samarawickrama

The Sri Lanka batter is in imperious form after smashing a maiden ODI century against Pakistan to help his side build a formidable total of 344.

It was not enough to hold off Pakistan but the 28-year-old showed that he will be pivotal to Sri Lanka’s hopes of making an impact at the tournament especially with skipper Dasun Shanaka now sidelined.

Injury sees Sri Lanka captain ruled out for remainder of World Cup

The right-hander also took the gloves behind the stumps against Pakistan with Kusal Mendis suffering cramps following his own ton earlier in the match.

Sri Lanka may call on Samarawickrama to do the same again when they face Australia if only to ensure that Mendis is fresh to focus on the captaincy as well as batting at first drop.