World Cup 2023, Match 14 | Sri Lanka Predicted XI vs Australia 

image-lnrty849Sri Lanka will be playing against Australia in the 14th match of the World Cup 2023 (Source: AP Photos)

Australia and Sri Lanka will square off in match 14 of the ongoing 2023 World Cup. Both teams are yet to win a game in the honorary competition. The event will be staged at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, and it is scheduled to begin at 2:00 PM IST. 

When was the last time Australia sunk in the ninth place in the points standings at an ICC event? Furthermore, it is the World Cup, and the Australians are striving to find the proper mix. They suffered injuries in the run-up to the World Cup and currently possess a 14-man squad without Travis Head, 

The Pat Cummins-led team was pushed to the limit in their opening game against India. They were in a terrific position until the bowlers reduced the score to 2-3 in a few overs. However, a 165-run innings by KL Rahul and Virat Kohli denied them their first victory in the prestigious tournament. The Australians failed to win their next game against South Africa, leaving them winless after a brace.

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Since their humbling defeat to India in the Asia Cup 2023 Final, Sri Lanka's winning percentage has fallen. Since the hammering at the hands of the Men in Blue, they have lost four of their past games. Bangladesh and Afghanistan snubbed Lankan Lions in their warm-up games.

Moving on, they let up 773 runs in two games at the start of their World Cup campaign. South Africa scored 428 runs in the first game of the World Cup, the best total in World Cup history. After Pakistan scored 345 runs in match 8 of the mega-event, the Lankan bowlers too let them down. They are now sitting seventh in the points standings and are hoping for their first victory. 

Lankan bowlers leaked 773 runs in two games at the start of their World Cup campaign. South Africa scored 428 runs in the first game of the World Cup, the best total in World Cup history. In their next game Pakistan overhauled 345 runs to derail the Sri Lankan side. They are now sitting seventh in the points standings and are hoping for their first victory.

With Dasun Shanaka and Matheesha Pathirana unavailable for the upcoming contest, it is certain that Sri Lanka will have to tinker with their combinations. So let's fasten the seat belts and take off in the journey of Sri Lanka's predicted XI versus Australia.


Openers: Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera

Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Janith Perera haven't quite gelled well at the top of the batting order in recent times. However, the potential that each batter carries may compel the management to go on with the same pair ahead of the Australian challenge. Nissanka is one of their best emerging batters and was consistent in the last couple of years. His partner, Perera is generally an attacking batter and arrived on the back of rehabilitation from injury. He has the ability to fetch quick runs within the first powerplay.


Middle Order: Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka

Kusal Mendis seems to be in the form of his life. Firstly, the wicketkeeper-batter tailored nervous nineties during the Asia Cup 2023 and now he has gone to the next level with his game. Mendis has struck two centuries in his last three KDI innings. He has garnered 356 runs in his last three innings but has been unfortunate enough to be on the wrong side of the match result.

Samarawickrama is another such individual who has been nothing short of a crisis man for Sri Lanka. The wicketkeeper-batter piled up an excellent century in their last game against Pakistan and was amidst the thick of runs during the Asia Cup 2023. Charith Asalanka follows him in the batting order and is yet another gem of a cricketer. The left-handed batter played a crucial part in their win against Pakistan in the Asia Cup to secure a berth for the final.


All-rounders: Dhananjaya de Silva, Dunith Wellalage and Chamika Karunaratne

Skipper Dasun Shanaka has been ruled out of the upcoming clash against Australia and Kusal Mendis will be leading the side in his absence. Chamika Karunaratne is likely to replace the Sri Lankan captain and is also a like-for-like replacement.

Dhaanjaya de Silva and Dunith Wellalage are going to be the other all-round options for the Island nation. Dhananjaya has a very good bowling record against David Warner, dismissing him four times in ODIs. Wellalage offers batting depth lower down the order and is a great option to regulate the middle over phases with the ball.


Bowlers: Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka and Kasun Rajitha

Sri Lanka will be missing the services of slingy-actioned pacer, Matheesha Pathirana. In his absence Dilshan Madushanka and Kasun Rajitha are likely to lead the pace attack. They may also include Lahiru Kumara and drop Rajitha if the management feels so.

Mahesh Theekshana is fit and back in the side. The finger spinner will play a pivotal part in the bowling department for Sri Lanka.


Sri Lanka Predicted XI vs Australia

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (c/wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, and Kasun Rajitha.