Big Picture
Even in a event with 9 group-stage matches which permits room for a slip up or two, you do not wish to be 0-3 early within the competitors. But that is precisely the scenario which is able to confront one in all Australia and Sri Lanka after they face off in Lucknow in what already shapes as a contest to retain practical semi-final hopes. It has been a tricky begin for either side, however two factors on this fixture will revive perception that they’ll nonetheless problem for the highest 4.
In what was fairly an un-Australian transfer, they made two adjustments after only one match. The omission of Cameron Green was largely anticipated towards South Africa, however the axing of Alex Carey was a serious speaking level even when his kind had been patchy. They are nonetheless competing with a 14-player squad, with Travis Head but to rejoin the group, and it is solely Sean Abbott who has but to function.
The batting is turning into a priority with nobody but to succeed in a half century – Australia presently have the bottom batting common of any group within the event at 18.80, and have failed to succeed in 200 within the first two outings.
Form information
(Last 5 matches, most up-to-date first)
Australia LLWLL
Sri Lanka LLLWL
In the highlight: Adam Zampa and Kusal Mendis
“Don’t think he’s bowled as much in the lead up as he would have in the past,” Finch informed ESPNcricinfo. “He’s had neck and shoulder issues. I know he’s got a bit of a hip niggle at the moment. Whether that’s just affecting him technically slightly – legspin bowling is not my expertise – but he didn’t bowl [at] his absolute best against India. But you are also bowling against the best players in the world. I think back to the first over he bowled, and he got cut for two boundaries. One of them was a good ball – might have hit the top of off stump to KL [Rahu] – and it slides past backward point for four. Then you are on the back foot because your best ball has been hit for four. You start overthinking it at times and you might stray away from your No. 1 plan.”
Team news: Australia seemingly unchanged; Sri Lanka want reinforcements
Australia (possible): 1 David Warner, 2 Mitchell Marsh, 3 Steven Smith, 4 Marnus Labuschagne, 5 Josh Inglis (wk), 6 Glenn Maxwell, 7 Marcus Stoinis, 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Pat Cummins (capt), 10 Adam Zampa, 11 Josh Hazlewood
Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kusal Perera, 3 Kusal Mendis (capt, wk), 4 Sadeera Samarawickrama, 5 Charith Asalanka, 6 Dhananjaya de Silva, 7 Dunith Wellalage, 8 Chamika Karunaratne, 9 Maheesh Theekshana, 10 Kasun Rajitha, 11 Dilshan Madushanka
Pitch and circumstances
The floor on the Ekana Stadium had obtained trickier because the match wore on when Australia confronted South Africa, and it had definitely nipped round for the quicks within the second half. That could have a bearing on what the captain who wins the toss decides to do. However, Pat Cummins and Shanaka, earlier than his harm, had received each their tosses, performed various things every time, and watched their group get overwhelmed on every event. So they could simply wish to depart it to the opposite to resolve. Meanwhile, it is set to be one other scorching day in Lucknow.
Stats and trivia
Quotes
“A lot of Australian teams, when they’re backed into a corner, play their best cricket. We find ourselves in a corner early on in this tournament, but we’ve got to come out and put in a really good performance against Sri Lanka.”
Mitchell Marsh is hopeful that Australia will hit again earlier than it will get too late
Andrew McGlashan is a deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo
Source web site: www.espncricinfo.com
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