ODI World Cup 2023: Australia's strongest predicted playing XI against Sri Lanka

Australia (AUS) are scheduled to face Sri Lanka (SL) in the 14th match of the ICC World Cup 2023 on Monday, October 16, in Lucknow. The game is set to commence at 2 pm IST, and both teams are in search of their maiden victory in this World Cup edition. Currently, Australia occupies the ninth position on the points table, boasting a Net Run Rate of -1.846. Australia's performance in the tournament has been disappointing, suffering consecutive substantial defeats to India and South Africa at the start of their campaign.

To improve their standing on the points table, they now need to secure a commanding victory against Sri Lanka. The Kangaroos face the daunting task of winning six of their next seven matches if they hope to secure a spot in the semifinals. Their schedule still includes challenging matches against teams like England and New Zealand, and the team is grappling with concerns related to player fitness and finding the right team combinations.

The Pat Cummins-led squad is currently restricted in its options due to Ashton Agar's injury and Travis Head's incomplete recovery. Consequently, captain Pat Cummins faces a challenging situation where he must rely on his existing group of players, making it essential for the team to draw motivation from within. Furthermore, Cummins himself must deliver a strong performance against Sri Lanka to set the tone for his team.

The Men in Yellow have a highly favourable history against Sri Lanka in World Cup encounters, securing victory in eight out of eleven matches while suffering only two defeats. In the upcoming game in Lucknow, they should capitalise on their knowledge of the conditions. Their recent experience in a match against South Africa provides them with a better grasp of the conditions compared to Sri Lanka.

Here's Australia’s Predicted XI against Sri Lanka:

Openers: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh

David Warner is set to lead the batting order for Australia, having notched 41 runs from 52 deliveries in the match against India and 13 runs from 27 balls in the encounter with South Africa. To secure victory in the upcoming game against Sri Lanka, Warner's performance will be crucial, particularly since he has yet to reach a half-century in the tournament.

After registering a duck in the game against India and managing seven runs from 15 deliveries against South Africa, Mitchell Marsh finds himself in a pivotal role, especially with Travis Head unavailable. As an opener, Marsh needs to maximise his chances and strive for a substantial score.

Middle Order: Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (WK)

Steve Smith is slated to occupy the third batting position. In the match against South Africa, he contributed 19 runs from 16 deliveries, with his dismissal sparking some controversy. It's crucial for both Smith and David Warner to deliver a substantial performance against Sri Lanka in order for Australia to succeed.

Marnus Labuschagne earned his spot in the World Cup squad to replace Ashton Agar due to his impressive recent batting form. Labuschagne contributed 27 runs against India and 46 runs against South Africa, establishing himself as the most in-form batter in the team.

Australia took a calculated risk by introducing Josh Inglis instead of Alex Carey against South Africa. Unfortunately, this decision did not yield the desired results, as the wicketkeeper-batter was dismissed for just five runs when Kagiso Rabada bowled him. Nevertheless, considering Inglis's recent performance record, Australia might consider giving him another opportunity.

Also Check: Most Runs in ODI World Cup 2023

All-Rounders: Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell

Australia had to select either Cameron Green or Marcus Stoinis as the bowling all-rounder in the team. Stoinis got the nod over Green in the South Africa match, but it wasn't fruitful. Since both players have similar skill sets and only one can be chosen, Stoinis's experience playing for Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, whose home ground is the Ekana Cricket Stadium, might lead to his inclusion in the XI.

Maxwell will assume the number five position in the batting order. This marks his third appearance in the World Cup 2023, and his team is relying on him to be a game-changer. However, Maxwell's previous performances in this tournament were underwhelming, as he managed only 15 runs and remained wicketless against India, while against South Africa, he contributed just three runs and took two wickets for 34 runs.

Bowlers: Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa

Pat Cummins is set to occupy the eighth batting position, providing an extension to the batting lineup. In the match against India, Cummins managed to accumulate 15 runs from 24 balls and conceded 33 runs in nearly seven overs. Against South Africa, he contributed 22 runs from 21 deliveries but was a bit expensive, with figures of 71 runs from his bowling spell.

Mitchell Starc will take the ninth position in the batting lineup. He played a crucial role by scoring 27 runs from 51 balls, rescuing his team from a precarious position of 70/6 and helping them reach a total of 177. Starc has a remarkable track record in World Cups, having taken more than 50 wickets, and his performance will be vital for Australia against Sri Lanka.

Josh Hazlewood will assume the role of the third seamer in the team. He made significant contributions by claiming the early wickets of Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer, causing early disruptions for India. However, in the match against South Africa, he conceded 60 runs from his nine overs.

Adam Zampa had a tough outing against India, conceding 53 runs in eight overs, and faced even more challenges against South Africa, giving away 70 runs in his allotted ten overs. As the sole specialist spinner in the team, Zampa is under significant pressure to perform effectively.

Also Check: Most Wickets in ODI World Cup 2023

Australia's Predicted XI:

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