Sri Lanka has won the toss and opted to bat first against Australia in the first match of their two-match ODI series at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on February 12. This encounter follows Australia’s previous success against Sri Lanka, where they clinched the Test series 2-0.
Fielding a significantly weakened squad, Australia has called up Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk to open the batting alongside Cooper Connolly, positioning Marnus Labuschagne to bat at No. 5, with acting captain Steve Smith taking the leadership reins.
Missing from the squad are key pacers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc, making way for Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, and Spencer Johnson to spearhead the bowling attack, with Adam Zampa serving as the spin option. Starc has returned home due to personal reasons, whereas Cummins is out with ankle concerns and is on paternity leave. Hazlewood is sidelined due to calf injury, as both he and Cummins will also miss the upcoming Champions Trophy.
According to the statistics revealed prior to the match, Sri Lanka has only four players remaining from their Test squad, reflecting the scale of the changes following their losses to Australia. Captain Charith Asalanka will lead the side focused on revitalizing their form after dropping the previous series 2-0.
Australia's lineup also features Alex Carey as the wicket-keeper, with Josh Inglis unable to participate due to back spasms. The visitors hope to maintain their strong performance leading up to the Champions Trophy, set to kick off on February 19.
Australia’s batting has seen Short and Fraser-McGurk start with Connolly at No. 3, which marks their debut for the ODI squad. Smith expressed confidence going forward, aiming to secure victories before heading to the Champions Trophy. “We would have batted first too,” he stated, reflecting the likely expectations to set competitive scores.
Sri Lanka, mixed with recent disappointments, hopes to put together solid performances against Australia to bolster their confidence. Their loss against New Zealand prior serves as added motivation for claiming victories against their formidable opponents.
The pitch at R Premadasa Stadium is expected to favor spinners due to its characteristic behavior, providing intriguing aspects for both teams to ponder as they plan their strategies. Early insights indicated bowling first could be advantageous due to morning conditions.
“Winning both games before heading to the Champions Trophy is the goal,” Smith added, driven to prepare his players for the demands of the upcoming tournament. The clash against Sri Lanka will be key for Australia to build momentum.
Projected winner predictions have leaned toward Sri Lanka, as local conditions might yield benefits, featuring spinners like Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, part of the all-rounder mix. Their experience could play pivotal roles as the match progresses.
For Sri Lanka, top players to watch include Kusal Mendis, who boasts impressive numbers at R Premadasa, alongside Kamindu Mendis, who was the top run-scorer against New Zealand previously. The dual strength of batting and spin from Wanindu Hasaranga is expected to keep the Australian lineup on their toes, maintaining pressure early.
Both teams are anticipating this series with high stakes considering their respective histories against one another. Australia, with their back against the wall, seeks to assert dominance, whereas Sri Lanka looks to seize the opportunity offered by home advantage.
With the first ODI starting the series today, spectators are urged to tune in for live telecast and streaming options available via Sony Sports Network and FanCode.