Defending Champions Australia has already registered three victories in the four matches the team has played till now. In their first match of the tournament, the Aussies defeated Afghanistan followed by a close win against Windies in the second game. However, against India in their third league stage match, the Australian giants had to face a 36 runs defeat. But, they are five times champions for a reason. They bounced back in their next game and registered a comprehensive win over Pakistan.
While Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will be praying to get on the field as their previous two matches have been washed out. With only one victory in account out of four games, the Lankan lions are at the fifth place in the points table.
Pitch Conditions
Venue: The Kennington Oval, London
Although the oval ground has witnessed 300 plus scores multiple times, it cannot be considered as a pure batsman pitch. The pitch has something for the bowlers too.
Toss
In the previous matches played at this venue, the teams successfully defended the total. So, this time also, the team winning the toss is expected to put runs on the board and defend it.
Total Matches played: 68
Matches won batting first: 28
Matches won batting second: 40
Average scores in both innings
Average 1st innings score: 252
Average 2nd innings score: 245
Weather Conditions
The weather has been a major concern in this World Cup. Already three matches have been washed out. On Saturday also, there is a possibility of rain during the game with the clouds covering 52% of the sky. The temperature will linger around 20 °C and the humidity will be in the mid-60s.
Team news: Sri Lanka
The last two matches of Sri Lanka have been washed out. The hero of the second match, Nuwan Pradeep, who was ruled out for the match against Bangladesh due to injury concerns, is expected to join the team in this game. Other than him, veteran pacer, Lasith Malinga, who went back home for his mother-in-law’s funeral, is also likely to join this match.
Full squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Avishka Fernando, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Jeevan Mendis, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera (wk), Thisara Perera, Nuwan Pradeep, Dhananjaya de Silva, Milinda Siriwardana, Lahiru Thirimanne, Isuru Udana, Jeffrey Vandersay
Team news: Australia
Although Australia bagged victory in the last match, Marcus Stoinis, who was ruled out of the team due to injury, is expected to get a place in the playing XI. His inclusion in the team will close the gates for Shaun Marsh in the team. Other than this, the Australian team may feel no need to do any changes in the squad.
Full squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
Both team’s probable playing XI
|
Sri Lanka |
Australia |
|
Dimuth Karunaratne(C) |
Aaron Finch(C) |
|
Kusal Perera(wk) |
Alex Carey(wk) |
|
Lahiru Thiramanne |
David Warner |
|
Kusal Mendis |
Steve Smith |
|
Angelo Mathews |
Glenn Maxwell |
|
Dhananjaya de Silva |
Usman Khawaja |
|
Thisara Perera |
Shaun Marsh |
|
Isuru Udana |
Nathan Coulter-Nile |
|
Suranga Lakmal |
Pat Cummins |
|
Lasith Malinga |
Mitchell Starc |
|
Nuwan Pradeep |
Kane Richardson |
Key Players
Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne, Thisara Perera, Lasith Malinga
Australia: Steve Smith, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Mitchell Starc
Standings in the ICC ODI points table
Sri Lanka – 9th place with 76 ratings
Australia – 5th place with 109 ratings
Head to Head in World Cup
Total matches played– 10
Sri Lanka win-2
Australia win– 7
No Result– 1
Both the teams have faced each other ten times, out of which the kangaroos have emerged victorious on seven occasions while Sri Lanka has beaten Australia twice.
Both teams’ score against each other in the World Cup
Highest Score Lowest Score
Sri Lanka 376 190
Australia 312 123
Let’s see what happens this time when these two teams face each other at the Oval, London.
Till then, follow Myteam11 for more updates about upcoming fixtures and the latest Sports stuff.
