World Cup 2023, AUS vs SL | Playing 11 Prediction, Cricket Tips, Preview & Live Streaming

Marnus Labuschagne in action for Australia at the 2023 World Cup (AP)

Winless Australian and Sri Lankan sides will be squaring off on October 16 in a bid to register their first win of the 2023 World Cup. The match, marking the third respective fixtures for both teams this tournament, is also a must-win one for the two nations as a defeat at this stage will put them 0-3 early in the 10-team competition.

AUS vs SL: Team Previews

Australia

Australia’s World Cup 2023 fortunes turned from bad to worse with their recent 134-run trouncing at the hands of South Africa. Last week, Pat Cummins and co. also slumped to a six-wicket larruping by tournament hosts India in Chennai.

Currently ranked ninth on the points table, the Australian team finds itself in unfamiliar World Cup territory and will be taking field in Lucknow with a point to prove against Sri Lanka. However, recent form, player injuries and track record goes against them in their bid to find some momentum, considering the team entered the cricketing carnival off the back of successive series defeats in South Africa and India.

Australian players have had a tough time on the field this 2023 World Cup (x.com)

A win over Sri Lanka at this stage will elevate them among top six while a defeat will earn them the undesired cellar-dwellers tag.

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Sri Lanka

Much like Australia, Dasun Shanaka-led Sri Lanka also sustained morale-denting defeats upfront to South Africa and Pakistan. To make things worse for them, they are set to lose skipper Shanaka for the remainder of the tournament as he recently slumped to a thigh injury.

Perhaps no other side this 2023 World Cup is as badly hit by injuries than Sri Lanka, as they are also about to miss the services of young speedster Matheesha Pathirana from their high-profile showdown against Australia.

Kusal Mendis will lead SL in the absence of Dasun Shanaka (x.com)

Kusal Mendis will lead the spirited South Asian unit as they aim to rectify their torrid start to the 2023 World Cup by forming a chain of confident wins in the coming games.

AUS vs SL: Match Details & Live Streaming

AUS vs SL: Lucknow Pitch Report

The conditions at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow are known for its slow pace, which makes it difficult for the batters to score freely. The spinners are expected to get much purchase from the surface, while pacers can inflict some damage upfront with the new ball.

AUS vs SL: Probable Playing 11

Australia: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood.

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

AUS vs SL: Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

AUS vs SL: Winner Prediction

Australia, despite their recent struggles and injury woes, will be considered as favourites to upstage fellow strugglers Sri Lanka to register their opening World Cup 2023 points in Lucknow.

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