Team Australia are all set to face Sri Lanka in a five-match ODI series as the skipper Aaron Finch has announced the playing for the first ODI scheduled to be played on Tuesday.
The contest between the giants will take place at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele at 2:30 PM IST.
The big gun of Australia, Pat Cummins, has made his return to the playing XI for the opening ODI game as he will be joined by pacers Jhye Richardson and Josh Hazlewood.
The fast bowler Kane Richardson, who was the part of the squad for the ODI series had been ruled out of the series with injury, while the speedster Mitchell Starc will also not be able to play the series due to an injury. Apart from fast bowlers, the all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has also been ruled out due to a calf injury.
Australia have outlasted the host Sri Lankan side in the recently concluded T20 series by 2-1 and they will look to carry forward that momentum in the 5-match ODI series as well.
Ashton Agar will take care of the spin department in the first match as confirmed by the skipper Aaron Finch. Alex Carey is selected to take of the wicket-keeping job.
The batting order looks all set for the visitors as they have destructive opening pair of Aaron Finch and David Warner as their openers, followed by the dependable Steve Smith, while proper batter Marcus Labuschangne and the all-rounders Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell will take care of the middle and death overs game.
To face the mighty Australia, the host team also included the in-form Bhanuka Rajapaksa into their ODI squad. However, the third-ranked team in the ICC ODI team’s rankings, Australia are high on confidence after a T20I series win over Sri Lanka and will start the ODI series as favourites.
Australia Squad For Sri Lanka:
Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Jhye Richardson, Josh Hazlewood.
