Australia started their ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign with a seven-wicket loss against hosts India in Chennai. The five-time champions then endured a 134-run hammering from South Africa in Lucknow. And more alarmingly, they are yet to cross the 200-run mark in this edition. In the defeat against the Proteas, the proud Aussies also suffered their biggest defeat, in terms of runs, in World Cups. The condition is more or less similar for Sri Lanka. The 1996 champions managed to score 300+ totals in both their matches but still ended up losing -- first to South Africa by 102 runs while chasing a mammoth target of 429 runs, then a six-wicket defeat as Pakistan chased down their seemingly imposing total of 344/9 with relative ease. (Scorecard | Preview | Key Battles | Full Coverage)
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Australia have a good fast bowling line-up but, in the spin department, they have only Adam Zampa and part-time bowler Glenn Maxwell. They lack a spinner. Mitchell Marsh, a gifted all-rounder, is not bowling and with the bat, he is yet to prove his mettle as an opener. He also failed to impress in the ODI series against India, where he opened the innings along with David Warner. Travis Head's unavailability is another headache for Australia. Captain Pat Cummins himself looked average in bowling as well as in captaincy.
The Sri Lankan side is injury-hit at the moment. Captain Dasun Shanaka has already been ruled out of the tournament due to a thigh injury. Kusal Mendis, his deputy, will take over the captaincy duties. Chamika Karunaratne, Shanaka's replacement, is unlikely to get a game straight away. Sri Lanka have done well to post 300+ scores but their bowling remains a major cause of concern. With most of their regular bowlers injured or unavailable, the present Sri Lankan attack is very young and inexperienced. Sri Lanka needs to outperform Australia in all three departments to win the match.
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Squads:
Sri Lanka Squad: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (c), Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Chamika Karunaratne, Dimuth Karunaratne.
Australia Squad: Mitchell Marsh, David Warner, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Sean Abbott, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Cameron Green.
Here's all you need to know about the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match between Australia and Sri Lanka:
When will the Australia vs Sri Lanka match be played?
The Australia vs Sri Lanka match will be played on Monday, October 16 at 2:00 pm IST (local).
Where will the Australia vs Sri Lanka match be played?
The Australia vs Sri Lanka match will be played at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow.
On which TV channel will the match be telecast live?
The match will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network.
Where will the match be streamed live?
The match will be live-streamed on the Disney+Hotstar app and website.
