Australia and Sri Lanka will face each other in Lucknow on Monday, both seeking their initial World Cup victory. Both teams haven’t started well, with Australia being defeated by India and South Africa and Sri Lanka losing to South Africa and Pakistan. Despite its impressive record of five World Cup wins, Australia is currently ranked ninth out of ten teams, mainly because of their poor Net Run Rate (-1.846). Sri Lanka is ranked a bit higher, at seventh, with a NRR of -1.161.
About the Ground:
The pitch at Lucknow’s Ekana stadium is known for being fair to both bowlers and batters. In the early game, bowlers might enjoy some swing and bounce. As the day proceeds, it’s expected to become better for batting. Spin bowlers could play a significant role later in the day, especially under the stadium lights.
Weather Update:
Lucknow is expected to have clear skies with no rain disturbances. Temperatures might hover around a pleasant 25°C, and the moderate humidity should keep players comfortable.
Team Line-ups:
Australia: Pat Cummins (captain), Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc.
Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis (captain), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Kumara, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushan Hemantha, Chamika Karunaratne.
Australia has faced a tough time lately, with seven losses in their last eight one-day games. Their performance in batting, bowling, and particularly fielding has not been up to the mark. But playing against Sri Lanka on a familiar pitch might offer a much-needed boost.
Sri Lanka has shown promise with the bat but has struggled with their inexperienced bowlers. With captain Dasun Shanaka not playing due to injury, Kusal Mendis now leads the team. Bringing in Chamika Karunaratne might give their bowling the necessary push.
Prediction
Australia appears to be slightly ahead, considering their previous familiarity with the Lucknow pitch and their history of bouncing back from tough times.
However, Sri Lanka, led by Kusal Mendis, has a young team with a lot of potentials. Their performance will depend on how they handle the match pressure.
Considering the pitch and Australia’s slight edge, they might be the favorites. But in cricket, nothing’s certain, and the outcome will depend on the team’s performance on the day.
