Published: May 25, 2017, 06:22 PM (IST)
Edited: May 25, 2017, 06:22 PM (IST)
The much-awaited marquee event ICC Champions Trophy 2017 is here. Before the main draw kicks off on June 1, all teams (barring England and South Africa) will participate in the warm-up games to prepare for the two-week long tournament. The warm-up encounters will serve as a platform for teams to acclimatise, get their combinations right, and also some much-needed practise in unfamiliar conditions. Australia lock horns with a demoralised Sri Lanka in the warm-up opener on May 26 at The Oval, London. It will be a big task for the Islanders to match one of the title contenders. Nonetheless, with this being the ideal stage for experimentation, the subcontinental side will try to make the opportunity count and stun their opponents.
Australia have a balanced 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy. Steven Smith and David Warner will spearhead the batting department. Aaron Finch, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Chris Lynn and Matthew Wade will follow the suit. Finch and Lynn had contrasting returns in the recently-concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017. While the former will like to start from scratch under totally alien conditions, Lynn will be confident of turning the heat against the opposition with his attacking instincts.
It will be interesting to see where both the batsmen will be accommodated in the playing XI. Will Australia change their opening pair with Lynn accompanying Warner, or they will go ahead with the trusted pair of Finch-Warner? In their last ODI, Head had teamed up with Warner to add a record 284 runs for the first wicket. The dilemma prevails.
Talking about Australia’s bowling arsenal, it is easily one of the most lethal attack in the tournament. With the likes of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, James Pattinson, Pat Cummins, and John Hastings, it will be a herculean task for the inexperienced Sri Lankan line-up to pose a threat against them. However, Starc and Hazlewood are coming off resting periods — the former was injured as well —, whereas Pattinson has wreaked havoc in the ongoing County season.
In the all-rounders’ slot, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Henriques will be entrusted with the job. The latter will be eager to make it count in the warm-ups, being included in the national side after a long gap. The 25-year-old Adam Zampa will be the frontline spinner and will have huge role to fill in.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka have problems of plenty. Their skipper, Angelo Mathews, will return to international cricket after a long gap. Apart from him, Lasith Malinga will also play his first major event since the ICC World Cup 2015. Dinesh Chandimal, Upul Tharanga, Kusal Mendis and Nuwan Kulasekara will be their key players.
Chamara Kapugedara, riding on good T20 form, will be eager to get some runs after a long layoff. Suranga Lakmal had a decent outing in Sri Lanka’s tour of England in 2016 and will try to carry the same form ahead.
The biggest issue for Sri Lanka is their woeful ODI form. They had a miserable series in England (2016), lost to Australia at home, were hammered against South Africa in their den and levelled a three-match series against Bangladesh (1-1) at their backyard.
To top it all, the Islanders struggled to level an unofficial two-match ODI series against Associate nation, Scotland.
Note: Each side can field 15 players, but only 11 can bat or bowl.
Squads:
Australia: Steven Smith (c), David Warner, Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa
Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (c), Upul Tharanga (vc), Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Chamara Kapugedera, Asela Gunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Nuwan Kulasekera, Thisara Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Seekkuge Prasanna.
Time: 3:15 PM IST | 10:30 local
