With an eye on top of the 2019 ICC World Cup charts, Australia will take on Sri Lanka at the Oval on Saturday. While other teams have been the casualties of rain-affected England, the Islanders have actually benefitted a lot, to say the least.
Sri Lanka, who have won a solitary game thus far, find themselves sitting fifth on the log after four games, with their only win coming against Afghanistan in a rain-affected game on June 4. Their next two fixtures – Pakistan (June 7) and Bangladesh (June 11) – saw the rain gods gifting them two precious points.
Australia, on the other hand, had a perfect start to the tournament until India paid them a visit. Yet, after three victories in four games, they sit second, behind the table toppers, New Zealand.
Moreover, given the history these two sides have shared over the years, it is safe to say the Aussies are braced for an easy route whatsoever. In fact, Sri Lanka – along with Zimbabwe – have the least win percentage ratio against Australia in the World Cup.
|
Least win percentage of a team vs Australia in the WC (min. 5 matches played) |
||||||
|
Team |
Mat |
Won |
Lost |
Tied |
NR |
Win % |
|
Sri Lanka |
9 |
1 |
7 |
0 |
1 |
11.11% |
|
Zimbabwe |
9 |
1 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
11.11% |
|
South Africa |
5 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
20.00% |
|
England |
7 |
2 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
28.57% |
|
New Zealand |
10 |
3 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
30.00% |
|
India |
12 |
4 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
33.33% |
|
Pakistan |
10 |
4 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
40.00% |
|
West Indies |
10 |
5 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
50.00% |
Even if their recent run is taken into consideration, the Islanders are a no match to the defending champions. Having won 12 of their 17 ODIs in 2019 (most by any team), Australia are carrying the best win percentage (70.59), while Sri Lanka have the least (18.18). The latter have won mere two of their 11 ODIs in 2019.
As far as the leaderboard is concerned, Sri Lanka do have a thing or two to worry about. Opener David Warner, with 255 runs in four innings, is the second highest scorer as of now and given his explosive form, it is safe to say the Lankan bowlers will have to be on their toes if they are to get anything positive from the game. Even the bowling department seems perfectly poised, with the likes of Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc picking nine wickets each from four innings.
|
Sri Lanka |
Metric |
Australia |
|
96 |
Matches |
96 |
|
32 |
Wins |
60 |
|
4 |
No result |
4 |
|
33.33 % |
Win % |
62.50 % |
The key for Sri Lanka from here remains their bowling spearhead, Nuwan Pradeep, who picked his career-best 31/4 in nine overs against Afghanistan. Following his injury in the nets in Bristol ahead of Bangladesh game, the pacer is set to roar once again. And given how Australia struggled to cope with the pace – against West Indies – the Islanders would want their paceman to be at his best on the day.
Meanwhile, Lasith Malinga is expected to be brought back into the team after the veteran flew back home following the passing of his mother-in-law. Sri Lanka’s batting remains a major concern, with their middle order not providing any stability whatsoever. Against New Zealand in their tournament opener, they lost five wickets for mere 14 runs, while gave away seven for 36 against Afghanistan. And they failed to last fifty overs in both of their fixtures.
Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Saeed Khan
