LUCKNOW, India (AP) — Kusal Mendis called correctly as Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat against Australia on Monday in what is almost a must-win game for both teams at the Cricket World Cup.
Mendis took over captaincy duties from Dasun Shanaka, who has been ruled out of the tournament with a thigh injury.
Five-time champion Australia is coming off losses to host India and South Africa and is in last spot in the 10-team league stage, while Sri Lanka has lost to South Africa and to Pakistan in high-scoring games.
The match started in Lucknow not long after the International Olympic Committee voted in Mumbai to include cricket on its sports program for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Injuries forced changes in Sri Lanka's starting lineup. Bowling all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne replaced Shanaka in a like-for-like squad replacement, and was elevated immediately into the XI. Wayward medium pacer Matheesha Pathirana was ruled out because of injury and replaced by Lahiru Kumara.
Australia retained the same starting lineup despite criticism of the composition of its bowling attack, featuring just one specialist spinner.
The pitch appeared to be spin-friendly.
Lineups:
Australia: Mitchell Marsh, David Warner, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (captain), Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (captain), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Chamika Karunaratne, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka
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AP Cricket World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
