🏏ICC Men's T20I WC 2022: Super 12 - Group 1 - AUS vs SL - 25/10/22🏏 - Page 3

Sri Lanka - the Asian champions, have slowly got into the winning groove. They haven't come up against the big boys of the group, but the winning momentum has given them confidence ahead of the challenges lying ahead. They started poorly in the Asia Cup, but then went on to win the whole thing, it's a different yardstick out here in the World Cup, but as Maheesh Theekshana said in the pre-match PC, their confidence is at an all-time high. We're at the Optus Stadium, arguably the fastest and bounciest pitch in Australia, conditions which should make the hosts feel better as they look to get their title defence back on the right path.

Some news pouring in with Adam Zampa having tested positive for Covid-19, the symptoms are mild though and he will be allowed to play today's match, with ICC having already confirmed that players who turn positive during the course of the tournament wouldn't be needing to quarantine.

Ashton Agar is shown doing his fielding practice with a few throws, maybe a sign of things to come?

Tristan Lavalette has a few updates: Zampa expected not to play due to Covid. Agar likely replacement.

Nissanka a likely in for SL. Crowd of 25k likely in 60,000-seat Optus Stadium. Fine conditions, pitch bit green. Should be fast and bouncy, runs can be scored quickly here. Though spinners can tie it down in middle overs if they bowl back of a length due to the vast square boundaries - similar dimensions to MCG

Mixed signals.

We will find out who exactly is playing at the time of toss which is not far away.

Prasanna S: "Getting a rude awakening in the first game is exactly what Australia needed. I believe win the toss bowl first is not the formula in Australian conditions, chasing isn't going to be a cakewalk here. Feel Australia should bat first if they win the toss and try to put maximum runs on board."

darshana sampa: "Today is Asalanka's day...come on Asalanka..."

Thrinadh RK: "wt abt weather conditions at the ground .....?Is there any possibility of rain" Sun's setting, no threat of rain. With around fifty minutes to start, players are warming up in the outfield.

'The ground dimensions are pretty much the same, small pockets at a couple of ends. The tall Australian pacers should enjoy this surface, plenty of pace and bounce on this pitch and there is plenty of runs on offer as well', reckon Danny Morrison and Sunil Gavaskar, in their pitch report.

Australia chose to bowl first.

Finch and Shanaka are out for the toss. Australia win the toss and bowl first

Australia (Playing XI): David Warner, Aaron Finch(c), Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade(w), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood

Dasun Shanaka - We're excited and well-prepared, looking forward to this game. The camp is very confident since the Asia cup and we've performed consistently, have chased down good scores. We have Pathum Nissanka back, no other changes

Aaron Finch - We'll bowl first, that's the best strategy on this surface and we can't think too far away in the tournament as of now. Looks like a decent pitch with a good grass surface. Adam Zampa is OUT with illness, replaced by Ashton Agar

Australia have won the toss and have opted to field

Dasun Shanaka: We are well prepared, looking forward to play here. The camp has been confident since the Asia Cup. We have chased good totals and are in good spirits. We have Pathum Nissanka back in

Teams:

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka(c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Binura Fernando, Lahiru Kumara

Australia (Playing XI): David Warner, Aaron Finch(c), Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade(w), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood