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Having lost their opening two matches of the ODI World Cup 2023, Australia and Sri Lanka will battle for their first win of the tournament at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Monday, October 16. With injuries plaguing the Lankans, they have made two changes, with Lahiru Kumara taking Matheesha Pathirana's place, and Chamika Karunaratne has taken the place of their injured skipper Dasun Shanaka. Stand-in captain Kusal Mendis won the toss and chose to bat first against an unchanged Australia Playing XI.
Australia's Playing XI
Mitchell Marsh, David Warner, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis(w), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins(c), Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
Sri Lanka's Playing XI
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis(w/c), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Chamika Karunaratne, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka
What is the pitch report?
"68 metres on one side (of the square) and 69 on the other side, straight is 76 metres. There is a little bit of moisture on it, it is a little bit damp because they had these hessian mats on it, so it's just holding it together because it is a red soil and they don't want it to be too dry too early. There is a bit of grass as well," said inputs from Samuel Badree and Nasser Hussain.
What the captains said?
"We probably would have batted as well but don't think it is too big a difference. The last 2 days we had training sessions and everyone is very clear on quite a few areas we need to sharpen up. We are playing the same team," Pat Cummins said at the toss.
"We will bat first, the wicket is looking good and it might turn a bit in the second half. We have 2 changes. Dasun and Matheesha are not playing and Chamika and Lahiru Kumara are playing. Unfortunately Dasun is not playing, really important match today. Par score might be 280-300, hopefully we can manage that," added Kusal Mendis at the toss.
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