SL vs AUS | 1st ODI | Match Preview, Prediction, Probable XI, CREX XI

Sri Lanka and Australia are all set to lock horns against each other in a five-match ODI series, starting Tuesday. The hosts have received a considerable boost following their victory over Australia in the final T20I. Although that did not change the series' outcome, Sri Lanka managed to avoid a whitewash. 

Australia returns to ODI action after a span of almost three months. The Men from Down Under were handed a 2-1 ODI series defeat by Pakistan a couple of months ago when several first-team members were missing. This time, Australia have announced a star-studded squad for the five-match series, which will be led by Aaron Finch.

David Warner and Steven Smith are some other big names in the batting department, with Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis being a part of the mix. Pat Cummins and Josh Hazelwood will spearhead the bowling department. With the 50-over ICC World Cup just over a year away, Australia will look to kick start their preparations in style.

On the other hand, Sri Lanka have announced a strong 21-man squad for the ODI series. Left-handed batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa has been called back to the team following his impressive showing in the recently concluded IPL. The hosts will be led by all-rounder Dasun Shanaka, who was the match-winner in the final T20I against Australia. The 30-year-old scored an unbeaten knock of 54 runs off just 25 balls to help the hosts chase down a total of 177 runs.

As for Sri Lanka, the side claimed a 2-1 series victory over Zimbabwe in their last ODI assignment. However, the Lankans have named a relatively inexperienced squad, and it will be a real test for the youngsters to come up against a daunting Australian side.

The two sides last met in a 50-over game at the 2019 Cricket World Cup. Where Australia claimed a comfortable victory, defeating Sri Lanka by a margin of 87 runs. However, Sri Lankan cricket is much better than it was three years ago. Hence, we can expect a much more competitive series this time around.

Match Details:

Match: Sri Lanka vs Australia, 1st ODI

Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele

Date & Time: June 14 at 2:30 PM IST

Live Streaming: FanCode and Sony Sports Network

Pitch Report: The final T20I played at Pallekele seemed to be a good batting wicket with over 350 runs being scored. We expect the trend to continue in the first ODI, and we could see another high-scoring encounter on Tuesday.

Head-To-Head:

Matches Played: 98

Australia Won: 61

Sri Lanka Won: 33

Squads:

Australia: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Jhye Richardson, Josh Hazelwood, Mitchell Swepson, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis

Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Niroshan Dickwella, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Praveen Jayawickrama, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lahiru Madushanka, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan

Probable Playing XI:

Australia: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Ashton Agar, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Jhye Richardson

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charlith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Chamika Karunratne 

CREX XI Suggestion:

Wicket-Keeper: Kusal Mendis

Batters: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka

All-Rounders: Glenn Maxwell, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ashton Agar

Bowlers: Pat Cummins, Josh Hazelwood, Maheesh Theekshana

Captain: David Warner

Vice-Captain: Wanindu Hasaranga