After a slew of washed out matches, Australia and Sri Lanka will hope to complete a game at the Kennington Oval on Saturday. Led by a fiery set of fast bowlers, the Aussies have won three of the four matches in the World Cup so far. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have been at the receiving end of two washed out games and have won one and lost another in four matches.
Pitch and weather conditions: The Kennington Oval surface could aid spinners but with rain around, both teams are likely to stick to a seam bowling group.
Player Recommendations:
Wicket-keeper: Alex Carey (8.5 credits)
Carey has been in form for Australia and has racked up useful runs from down the order this World Cup. A 45 against West Indies was followed by an unbeaten 55 against India in the next match. With Stoinis out, Carey will also bat higher up the order.
Batsman: Steve Smith (10.5 credits)
Smith has been in rollicking form since the start of the World Cup and has been a force to reckon with. With David Warner finding his groove, Australia's batting appears intimidating and will be anchored by Smith. You can expect decent returns from the former Australian skipper.
All-rounder: Thisara Perera (9 credits)
With wickets and runs, Perera has been in good form in ODIs and is the best all-rounder to choose for this match from a fantasy perspective. Perera is one of Sri Lanka's most consistent players in this period
After a slew of washed out matches, Australia and Sri Lanka will hope to complete a game at the Kennington Oval on Saturday. Led by a fiery set of fast bowlers, the Aussies have won three of the four matches in the World Cup so far. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have been at the receiving end of two washed out games and have won one and lost another in four matches.
Pitch and weather conditions: The Kennington Oval surface could aid spinners but with rain around, both teams are likely to stick to a seam bowling group.
Player Recommendations:
Wicket-keeper: Alex Carey (8.5 credits)
Carey has been in form for Australia and has racked up useful runs from down the order this World Cup. A 45 against West Indies was followed by an unbeaten 55 against India in the next match. With Stoinis out, Carey will also bat higher up the order.
Batsman: Steve Smith (10.5 credits)
Smith has been in rollicking form since the start of the World Cup and has been a force to reckon with. With David Warner finding his groove, Australia's batting appears intimidating and will be anchored by Smith. You can expect decent returns from the former Australian skipper.
All-rounder: Thisara Perera (9 credits)
With wickets and runs, Perera has been in good form in ODIs and is the best all-rounder to choose for this match from a fantasy perspective. Perera is one of Sri Lanka's most consistent players in this period of turmoil and if anyone is good enough to rescue them from the ruckus, it should be Perera.
Bowler: Mitchell Starc (9 credits)
ICC tournaments and Sri Lanka bring the best out of Mitchell Starc. He has 37 wickets in ICC tournaments and 23 wickets against Sri Lanka. Against the top-order and tail, Starc will possess a huge threat, particularly with conditions in his favour.
Captain: Mitchell Starc
Vice-captain: Steve Smith
Predicted Playing XI:
Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga
Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steven Smith, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson
