Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first against Australia in the 14th ODI match of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 on Monday (16).

The teams are set to face each other in the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow at 2.00 p.m. today.

A basement battle of sorts, between Sri Lanka and Australia, eighth and 10th on the World Cup 2023 points table, respectively, is something few would have conceived ahead of the tournament.

The five-time champions Australia have concerns throughout their line-up as multiple batters are yet to build a solid innings at two attempts, and questions remain over their selection of three frontline quicks.

Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and captain Pat Cummins have each had an impact at times, but it has not been enough to limit the opposition batters in soul-searching losses to India and South Africa.

Sri Lanka have their own worries especially with captain Dasun Shanaka ruled out of the rest of the Cricket World Cup due to injury.

Shanaka picked up a quad injury during the loss to Pakistan and will be sidelined for at least three weeks in a blow to Sri Lanka’s hopes of progressing.

Fellow all-rounder Chamika Karunaratnehas has been added to the squad while vice-captain Kusal Mendis is expected to take the reins for the crunch clash with Australia.

Squads

Australia: Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc.

Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis (c), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Kumara, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Chamika Karunaratne, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushan Hemantha