ICC World Cup 2019 Match 20, Australia vs Sri Lanka: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Australia had won 10 ODIs on the trot before losing to India. And they beat Pakistan after that to return to their winning ways. On the other hand, if one takes away the 1-0 win in Scotland, Sri Lanka have lost their last five series and won just one of their last 14. Yes, things have been that bad for them.

True, they are currently fourth on the points table, but two of their four points have come from a win against Afghanistan, and two more from two abandoned matches.

Their immediate concern, however, should be their middle order. Their Nos. 4 to 7 have batted twice in the tournament (in other words, 8 innings) for a sum total of 9 runs. Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Perera have impressed at the top, but the middle order really needs to come alive.

The bowling, on the other hand, were blown away by New Zealand, who chased down a small target. However, the seamers performed well as a unit.

There are no such qualms for Australia, whose strong top order and pace attack are slowly coming together. David Warner, Aaron Finch, and Steven Smith have all got runs, but their fans are probably as excited at the rise of Alex Carey as a tremendous end-overs batsman.

And while the fast bowling requires little improvement, they need to take a look at their spinners, for Adam Zampa has not been at his best. If there is one thing Sri Lankans are outstanding at, it is batting against spin.

Head to head

Australia hold a substantial (60-32) lead. In World Cups, too, they lead 7-1, their only defeat coming in the 1996 final. They have met twice in England, Australia winning a 1975 World Cup match and Sri Lanka winning won in the 2013 Champions Trophy.

However, Sri Lanka’s last bilateral series win (2-1) against Australia came in 2010, on Australian soil. Since the results read 3-2 (in Sri Lanka), 2-2 (in Australia), and 4-1 (in Sri Lanka) in Australia’s favour.

Key players

Alex Carey (Australia): Carey started the charge against West Indies with a 45-ball 55; his 35-ball 55 not out kept Australia alive against India for some time; and he got a neat 21-ball 20 against Pakistan. Add to that his efficient glovework, and he may emerge as the find of the tournament.

Isuru Udana (Sri Lanka): These are still early days in Udana’s ODI career, but these are the conditions under which his brand of outside-the-off-pitched-up bowling is expected to thrive. Remember, he is also an excellent hitter, as he demonstrated multiple times in South Africa.

Likely XIs

Australia: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Steven Smith, Usman Khawaja, Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon.

Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Kusal Perera (wk), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Pradeep.

Prediction

Australia to win easily.