Australia vs Sri Lanka, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 warm-up: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Sri Lanka and Australia have one last chance to get things in order ahead of the Cricket World Cup 2019. They play their final warm-up match against each other in Southampton on Monday, 27 May. However, the match is more important for one side – Sri Lanka.

A patched-together side that is desperate for matches under its belt, Sri Lanka need matches in these conditions to sort themselves out. The scale of their task was evident when, in the first warm-up match against South Africa, they were shot out for 251 in a chase of 338/7.

Their bowlers couldn’t contain Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis, and despite half-centuries from Dimuth Karunaratne and Angelo Mathews, they weren’t able to contain Andile Phehlukwayo.

Despite the loss, though, there were signs that things weren’t all that bad in that match – there was solidity among the batters, to say the least. If they can get their bowlers to up their game, their World Cup may not be a washout everyone is predicting.

Australia, meanwhile, played their first match in these conditions this month, but very encouragingly, eased to victory against tournament-favourites England. Steven Smith scored a century, despite boos ringing around him, and David Warner impressed as well. The bowlers performed decently as well, defending a 298-run target after shooting out England for 285.

This could be a mismatch.

Head to head

This is a one-sided rivalry. In 96 matches, Australia have tasted victory 60 times. There were four no-results, meaning Sri Lanka have managed just 32 victories in that time. Similarly, in neutral venues, Australia have won 8 of their 10 matches – Sri Lanka won the 1996 World Cup final against them, though.

Key players

Steven Smith (Australia): The former captain didn’t have the greatest IPL, but on his return to national colours, he was sublime. He scored a century against England in the first warm-up, blocking out the boos ringing around him, and the knock would have significantly boosted his confidence ahead of the World Cup. That’s not a good sign for the rest of the nine teams.

Angelo Mathews (Sri Lanka): The former captain is a genuinely quality player. He shored up the batting in that first warm-up against South Africa, and though he doesn’t bowl these days, he will be imperative for Sri Lanka in this campaign for his batting and his experience alone.

Squads

Australia: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Shaun Marsh, Alex Carey, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Zampa, Nathan Lyon, Kane Richardson

Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Avishka Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Jeffery Vandersay, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Jeevan Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana

Prediction

Australia to brush Sri Lanka aside all too easily.