Match Analysis In Brief
| Date | Monday 16th October 2023 at 14:00 (IST) and at 09:30 (UK) |
| Venue | Australia vs. Sri Lanka will take place at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, India |
| Weather | Conditions are expected to be very hot over the course of this match, with temperatures starting at around 32c due to the bright sunshine, although they should drop by at least 5c as this game goes on due to consistent light winds and eventual nightfall. |
| TV & Streaming | Viewers in India: you can watch this match live on Star Sports channels or stream it via the Disney+ Hotstar app. |
| Viewers in Pakistan: you can watch this match live on PTV Sports and A-Sports or stream it through the PTVFLIX App. | |
| Viewers in Sri Lanka: you can watch this match live on Maharaja TV or stream it on Sirasatv.lk. | |
| Viewers in Afghanistan: you can watch this match live on Ariana TV. | |
| Viewers in Bangladesh: you can watch it on Gazi TV or stream it through Rabbithole. | |
| Viewers in the UK: you can watch this match live on Sky Sports or stream it via the Sky Go App. | |
| Viewers in Australia: you can watch this match live on Fox Sports or stream it via the Foxtel or Kayo Sports app. | |
| Viewers in South Africa: you can watch this match on SuperSport channels or stream it via the SuperSport app. | |
| Viewers in the USA and Canada: you can watch this match live on Willow TV, whilst viewers from the USA can also stream it via the ESPN+ app. |
KEY BETTING STATS
- Sri Lanka have lost each of their last three official ODIs – To Win the Match
- David Warner has outscored opening partner Mitchell Marsh in each of Australia’s 2023 ICC World Cup games played so far – Batter Matches (Most Runs)
- Kusal Mendis has scored 198 runs for Sri Lanka across their two 2023 ICC World Cup games played so far – Team – Top Batter
.BETTING ANALYSIS/TIPS For AUSTRALIA
Australia is coming off the back of consecutive group stage defeats, having been bowled out for under 200 against both India and South Africa, the first time while batting first and the second time while chasing.
All-rounder Cameron Green and wicket-keeper Alex Carey were both dropped for Australia’s second group game, but replacements Marcus Stoinis and Josh Inglis failed to impress vs the Proteas, so the Aussies may look to change things again.
Top order batter Travis Head had a scan regarding his hand injury on Thursday but is unlikely to be available here. Mitchell Marsh has been opening in his place and has struggled with scores of 0 and 7. Bettors can capitalise on his poor form by backing Marsh to score under 32.5 runs (1.83) against Sri Lanka should he be named in the team.
Twice batter Steve Smith has recorded over 3.5 match fours over the course of the group stage so far despite failing to reach a half-century on both occasions, scoring 46 and 19, so backing him to achieve the same feat here (2.10) represents excellent value. Smith’s class with the bat will likely see him put up a big individual score sooner rather than later and he should be backed to not only score a fifty (2.37) in this match, but also to go on and score a hundred (5.00).
BETTING ANALYSIS/TIPS For SRI LANKA
Despite having accumulated a total of 670 runs in their two group stage fixtures played so far, including consecutive scores of over 300, Sri Lanka has found themselves on the losing side twice against South Africa and Pakistan, respectively, conceding a record ICC Cricket World Cup score, followed by a record ICC Cricket World Cup run chase.
Not having the likes of Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera through injury is clearly taking its toll on an inexperienced bowling attack that could be set for further struggles. The best way for bettors to invest in Sri Lanka here is through their top-order batters. Kusal Mendis in particular is one to focus on, having backed up his 76 against Sri Lanka with a brilliant 122 vs Pakistan.
No Sri Lanka batter boasts more runs than Mendis across this World Cup so far, so backing him to finish as his side’s top batter against Australia (4.50) looks a shrewd play. Those looking for a safer bet, should explore backing Mendis to score over 28.5 runs (1.83), or to record a third consecutive score of 50+ (2.75).
Sri Lanka’s opening partnership has yet to fire in the tournament, having put up scores of just 1 and 5 for the first wicket so far. Against a strong Australian pace bowling attack, backing Sri Lanka to accrue an opening partnership total of under 25.5 runs has to be favoured.
CRICKET 8’S EXPERT PREDICTION
Australia have won eight of their 11 matches against Sri Lanka across ICC Cricket World Cup history, including six of their last seven showdowns. The five-time world champions cannot afford to slip up again in this latest encounter. There is no excuse for a top order of Australia’s quality to fail for a third consecutive match against a bowling unit who have conceded 773 runs in a total of 98.2 overs across this Cricket World Cup so far.
The expectation is that Australia will have learnt a lot about the Lucknow pitch from their game against South Africa, which showed that any batter who plays themselves in, can be rewarded as their innings goes on. The experience of David Warner at the top of the order, should be key for Australia, with the 36-year-old having scored 30+ runs in four of his last five innings and against Sri Lanka’s struggling bowling attack, is well worth backing to do so again.
TIP
DAVID WARNER TO SCORE 30+ MATCH RUNS (1.72)
