After a thrilling finish to the T20I series, Sri Lanka and Australia will lock horns against each other in a three-match ODI series. The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele will host the first game of the series on Tuesday.
With the next World Cup set to take place in India, this will be a ‘nothing to lose’ opportunity for Australia to officially begin their preparation for the next major 50-over event. Aaron Finch and Co. will look to get their combinations right over the next few days.
The Aussies will also have to deal with a few injury concerns with Mitchell Start ruled out of atleast first two ODIs. However, it will be interesting to see how Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne adapt their games to fit in with the likes of Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey and Marcus Stoinis.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will be brimming with confidence after a scintillating win in the last T20I. They will look to continue their efforts on the field to lift the spirits of their countrymen and women, who are going through an economic crisis.
Match Details
1st ODI: Sri Lanka (SL) vs Australia (AUS)
Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele
Date & Time: 14th June at 2:30 PM IST and Local Time
Pitch Report
The pitch at Pallekelle has been a belter of a surface, and the team chasing down the score will have an advantage. Aaron Finch reckoned that the spinners won’t have a mighty say in these conditions and is likely to remain the same.
Predicted Playing XI
Sri Lanka (SL): Pathum Nissanka, Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Dasun Shanaka (c), Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana
Australia (AUS): Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey (wk), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Jhye Richardson, Josh Hazlewood
SL vs AUS – Fantasy Team Prediction
Fantasy Team 1: Kusal Mendis, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Dasun Shanaka, Charith Asalanka (vc), Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Glenn Maxwell (c), Josh Hazlewood, Jhye Richardson, Maheesh Theekshana
Fantasy Team 2: Kusal Mendis, Steve Smith, Pathum Nissanka, David Warner (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga (vc), Glenn Maxwell, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Dushmantha Chameera
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