Australia's must-win game to stay alive after two massive losses   

Betting Odds 

Our Predictions 

• Steve Smith has odds of 3.79 to be the best batsman for Australia
• Kusal Mendis has odds of 4.29 to be Sri Lanka's best batsman
• Mitchell Starc has odds of 3.15 to be Australia's best bowler
• Matheesha Pathirana has odds of 4.10 to be the best bowler for Sri Lanka.  

MATCH PREVIEW  

It is the 14th game in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, and Australia finds itself in unfamiliar territory as they take on Sri Lanka. They have lost two games and come here with a massive loss against South Africa. They look down on confidence and the odds chart. The five-time champions must gather their fighting spirit and win this game to keep hopes alive for the rest of the tournament. Sri Lanka will look to recover from the loss against Pakistan. It was poor bowling efforts that denied them a win. Both teams have high stakes in this game and shall fight hard for a win.  

Australia Preview   

They were one of the favorites on betting apps at the start of the tournament. But Pat Cummin’s side has underperformed. They failed with the ball and the bat in their last game against South Africa, losing the game by 134 runs. Cummins leads a side full of champions, and they will look to put the losses behind their back and play aggressive cricket to make a statement in this game.  

David Warner and Mitchell Marsh haven’t provided good starts as a pair, and the side will look for a big one from them. Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne are the most important batters for the side, and they need a good show from them, along with Alex Carey in the middle order. The side will also look for a good show from Glenn

Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis in the lower middle order.  
The bowling attack will have additional responsibility as the batsmen have struggled. They will need early wickets from Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood with the new ball. Cummins must use his experience and bowl a good spell in the middle overs with Adam Zampa. Maxwell must use the conditions well and bowl well along with Stoinis.  

Expected Starting XI for Australia  

Pat Cummins (c), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood 

Sri Lanka Preview  

Dasun Shanaka will be upset with his bowlers. They failed to defend 344 runs in the last game against Pakistan, going down by 6 wickets. Their bowlers lacked discipline and bowled in the wrong areas. The Australians will be hungry for success in this game, and Shanaka’s boys must be on their toes to win and improve their position on the points table.  

Pathum Nissanka played well in the last game and must deliver a good start with Kusal Perera. Kusal Mendis is in the form of his life and has a vital role in the middle order with Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka. Shanaka is a great finisher and will look to add quick runs with Dhananjaya de Silva and Dunith Wellalage.

The bowling attack comes here after a terrible day at the office. They are down on betting sites due to their poor bowling show. The side will expect a good show from Maheesh Theekshana and Kasun Rajitha with the new ball. Matheesha Pathirana and Dunith Wellalage must bowl good spells in the middle overs, as Australians have experienced players in the middle order. Shanaka, de Silva, and Charitha Asalanka add depth to this attack.  

Expected Starting XI for Sri Lanka  

Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Kasun Rajitha  

TOSS: To Bat First   

Both captains would take cues from the last game at the toss. The batting conditions shall be excellent at the start, and bowlers will find swing and seam movement in the second half of the game. The side winning the toss will opt to bat first and aim for a big score in this game.  

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS   

The skies over Lucknow shall be clear, and we expect it to be a hot and humid day at the start. The wicket will be flat and batsmen can play their strokes freely. Bowlers have to rely on their variations to do well at this venue. The side batting first shall look to have 300 runs on the board.    

OUR PREDICTION   

Sri Lankan bowling attack will be under pressure after the disastrous show in the previous game. They must bowl good spells throughout the game to put the Australians under pressure. The Australians have a better pace attack and a good record against Sri Lanka in ICC World Cup. According to our ICC World Cup betting guide the Australians have an edge in this game.  

Our Prediction is for Australia to win.