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Sri Lanka vs Australia, 1st ODI: Likely XI for Steven Smith’s team

Australia will like to come hard at Sri Lanka after they outplayed them in all departments in the longer format in first ODI in Colombo.

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David Warner will have to give Australia a strong platform if his side wants to comeback in the shorter formats after losing Test series vs Sri Lanka © Getty Images (File Photo)
David Warner will have to give Australia a strong platform if his side wants to comeback in the shorter formats after losing Test series vs Sri Lanka © Getty Images (File Photo)

Sri Lanka and Australia will meet for the shorter formats after completing the three-Test series, wherein the hosts ran over the mighty Australians to whitewash the series. Australia will want to go past the drubbing they received in Tests and move ahead in the One-Day Internationals (ODIs) where they are more confident as a unit. The first match of the five-ODI series will be played at Colombo and both the teams will be rearing to take a lead in the series. Here is a look at Steven Smith’s team and the Playing XI he may field against Sri Lanka in the first ODI: FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Sri Lanka vs Australia, 1st ODI at Colombo (RPS)

Top-order: David Warner has been his team’s pillar in crisis situation. He has been among runs but failed in the Test series in the sub-continent. He had a score of fifty-plus in the last innings of the final Test and will be itching to make a mark in coloured jersey. He will open the innings with another dependable batsman and his old friend, Aaron Finch. Finch got some runs in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2016 and Tri-Nation series in West Indies. He will like to take more responsibility till the time his partner is out of touch. Usman Khawaja will still be entrusted to come at No. 3 even though he had a forgettable time in whites against the hosts. Travis Head will also be in contention but a lot will depend on how Khawaja plays before he is tried. ALSO READ: Sri Lanka announce squad for first 2 ODIs against Australia

Middle-order: Australia have a bankable middle-order comprising of Smith and George Bailey. They will be followed, most likely, by Moises Henriques. He featured in the last Test versus Sri Lanka and will have to fill in the place of Mitchell Marsh, who has returned home to refresh before his side’s intense home series, later in the year. Matthew Wade, wicketkeeper-batsman, had an essential contribution to make in the tri-series final against West Indies and will bat at No. 7.

Lower-order and bowlers: Mitchell Starc will come at No. 8, who can hit a few lusty blows if the situation demands for the same. Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon and Adam Zampa will complete their batting-order against Angelo Mathews and co.  ALSO READ: Lee keeps fingers crossed as ‘UnIndian’ hits theatres

Australia have a strong bowling line-up with Starc leading their pace battery. He has already troubled the Lankans with the red ball and will look to continue to make amends with the white ball as well. Hazlewood has been sharp as ever with his accurate line and lengths and will try to put the brakes on the Lankans if they get off to a good start. Lyon may feature in the team as the tracks in Sri Lanka get slow as the match progresses and will be supported by youngster and in-form spinner, Zampa. Smith can also play Nathan Coulter-Nile but will likely go for two genuine quickies, one all-rounder, in the form of Henriques, and two spinners.

Australia will like to come hard at the Lankans after they outplayed them in all departments in the longer format. They have a few new players in the team and will hope their energy rubs on everyone for a much needed turnaround.

Australia likely XI against Sri Lanka, first ODI: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith (c), George Bailey, Moises Henriques, Matthew Wade (wk), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa

(Aditya Sahay is a journalist with CricketCountry who is completely into sports and loves writing about cricket in general. He can be followed on Twitter at adisahay7)

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