AUS vs SL: Sri Lanka playing XI vs Australia, Match 14, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 - Predicted

Sri Lanka will lock horns with Australia in Match 14 of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 on Monday.

The match No. 14 of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is a very important game as it will involve two teams that are yet to win a game in this tournament. It is a contest between Australia and Sri Lanka at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on October 16 (Monday).

Sri Lanka are coming off two consecutive defeats against South Africa and Pakistan, respectively. Both times, their bowling didn't deliver while their batting had a quiet impact. But to make it worse, skipper Dasun Shanaka and pace Matheesha Pathirana have been ruled out, which will be a huge set-back for them. We will talk about the predicted playing XI for Sri Lanka against Australia in Lucknow.

AUS vs SL: Sri Lanka's Predicted playing XI vs Australia

1. Pathum Nissanka :

After missing out in the first game against South Africa, Pathum Nissanka had a pretty good innings against Pakistan and scored 51 runs with seven fours and one six. He will look to have another good innings in an all-important game on Monday. He can give Sri Lanka a good start in a pressure game, and he has been a consistent scorer at the top.

2. Kusal Perera :

Kusal Perera has been an impactful player at the top for Sri Lanka. He hasn't gotten going so far, but he can be pretty dangerous against Australia. Perera can put pressure on Australian pace attack in the power-play and can be a hard batter to dismiss if he gets going.

3. Kusal Mendis (c & wk) :

Kusal Mendis is at his absolute best in this tournament. He has been the stand-out performer on his team, and the way he is hitting big sixes is just a treat to watch. Mendis will be a big wicket for Australia because if he gets set, he will surely take the game away from Australia. As Dasun Shanaka got ruled out of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, Mendis will be seen leading the Sri Lankan side in the remainder of the tournament.

4. Sadeera Samarawickrama :

Sadeera Samarawickrama smashed a brilliant hundred in the last game against Pakistan, and that helped Sri Lanka reach 340-run mark. He is in good form and can be a surprise package against Australia. Samarawickrama is a good player of spin, which makes him a pretty important player in the middle-order. Australia have only one specialist spinner, and Samarawickrama can take advantage of that.

5. Charith Asalanka :

Charith Asalanka is very vital for the inexperienced Sri Lankan middle-order. The left-hander is a very confident player and has played some match-winning innings for his team, and Sri Lanka will hope for him to fire when his team needs it the most. Asalanka can be pretty good with his strike rotation and is a good runner between the wickets.

6. Dhananjaya de Silva :

Dhananjaya de Silva is very important in this batting-order. He is their premium all-rounder and has been doing well so far in the last few years. De Silva's role becomes more special as Dasun Shanaka is not available, and he will have to take on the responsibility as their most experienced batter. So we might see an important role for him against Australia with both the bat and the ball.

7. Dunith Wellalage :

It is great for 20-years-old Dunith Wellalage to make an impact in this tournament. He has been pretty impressive since his debut but hasn't clicked yet with both bat and ball. But the all-rounder is pretty skilled, as he showed during Asia Cup 2023, and can be a star performer in the game.

8. Chamika Karunaratne :

Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka has been ruled out after an injury concern, and he has been replaced by all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne, who is a like-to-like replacement. He is more of a bowling all-rounder who can bowl good overs and then smack a few at the end. He will have a good impact in the game, and the pitch in Lucknow suits his bowling style.

9. Maheesh Theekshana :

Maheesh Theekshana is the main spinner for his team and will be a big hurdle to cross for Australia. He will be a big threat with his variations on a slow pitch in Lucknow. He can remove a few wickets in the middle overs, and Australia will be under pressure for sure.

10. Lahiru Kumara :

Matheesha Pathirana has suffered a shoulder injury and will be out of action for the next two fixtures. Lahiru Kumara is likely to replace him, and his experience will surely help his team out. He is a great new ball bowler and can restrict batters with the old ball, which is why Sri Lanka will be happy to have him in the team.

11. Dilshan Madushanka :

Dilshan Madushanka will be a key player for Sri Lanka with the new ball. He has picked up four wickets in two innings and has been among the wickets. His left-arm angle will make him a difficult prospect to handle. Australia have some out-of-form batters at the top, and he can surely put them under pressure.