ICC World Cup 2019 | Sri Lanka's predicted XI for the game against Australia
After two back to back washed out games that they could have won, Sri Lanka are up against another team from the Southern Hemisphere. A win could give them a chance to make it into the top four but a loss could very well end their chances of making the top four considering their remaining fixtures.
Openers
Dimuth Karunaratne : After watching two games slip through their grasp thanks to the horrendous weather that the UK is throwing our way, Karunaratne will be itching to get going against Australia. And he will need to provide a good start against Cummins and co for Sri Lanka to have a chance in the game.
Kusal Perera : Sri Lanka made the decision to promote Perera to the opening slot after Thirimanne looked edgy against New Zealand, Kusal Perera put on a show with a well-constructed 78 against Afghanistan. Barring any injuries, there is no way Thirimanne is making it into the top two anytime soon.
Middle-order
Lahiru Thirimanne : Getting dropped a place might just have been the motivation that Thirimanne needed. His 25 against Afghanistan was a gritty innings and looked even better when you look at what followed him in that game.
Kusal Mendis : He is a mystery. He passes the eye test with flying colours but his numbers tell you the full story. For a man who has scored 15 half-centuries and a big one in 63 innings, his average of 27.77 does not do justice to him or his side. He needs to step up now or the transitional Sri Lankans will remain that way for a while.
All-rounders
Angelo Mathews : Considered to be one of the best all-rounders in the game at one point of his career, Mathews has now evolved into a proper batsman. Well, at least he was before the World Cup. ZERO runs in two games, one of which came against Afghanistan, is just not acceptable from a man of his stature. Sri Lanka need him to take charge and maybe they can take solace in the fact that he averages 41.82 in England so he is due a big score.
Dhananjaya de Silva : The fact that de Silva is playing as the all-rounder for Sri Lanka is a clear indication where the 1996 Champions find themselves. There is no way de Silva would have come anywhere close to the great Sri Lankan teams of the last couple of decades. The sheer lack of options that the island nation possess, de Silva gets an entry into the playing XI.
Thisara Perera : The last two years have seen Perera finally look like an international batsman. He scored as many centuries since 2017 as he had for eight years preceding that. And he looked in good touch against New Zealand as well. He might just be the paper over the cracks that is the Sri Lankan middle order.
Isuru Udana : As a batting all-rounder in the side, all Udana has managed is 10 runs. The other side of all-rounder title has seen him pick up one wicket despite playing an Afghanistan side, whose batsmen seem adamant of giving away their wickets to whoever bowls a half decent ball.
Pacers
Suranga Lakmal : He has looked very average so far in the two matches he has played, he has conceded runs at 5.5 per over and has not picked up a single wicket. The 32-year-old needs to contribute more, especially with the new ball, else it is going to be a walk in the park for the Australian to order.
Lasith Malinga : Father time has caught up with the Sri Lankan legend who looks a shell of the player he was in his heyday. As bad as that seems, he might still be the best wicket taking options that Sri Lanka have at their disposal with no updates on Pradeep’s injury. But whether the other bowler can hold the ship steady till the death overs is what remains to be seen.
Spinner
Jeevan Mendis : When Nuwan Pradeep finished with figures of 4/31 against Afghanistan, Jeevan Mendis would have planned on some sightseeing because it was unlikely he would be able to come back into the side. However, Pradeep’s injury has handed Mendis a second chance and if he can turn up against the Aussies today, he might secure a place for the remainder of the tournament.
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