Key events
The players head out onto the field for the anthems, Australia’s younger than expected outfit are about to get their first trot out.
A changing of the guard?
Sri Lanka win the toss and will bat first
Sunny skies in Colombo as the coin is tossed. Steve Smith doesn’t call correctly so his opposite number Charith Asalanka gets to choose what to do. It’s a dry pitch and he wants to have first use of it. “We want runs on the board”. Smith confirms he would have batted too and also that Travis Head, Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell won’t be gracing the turf today.
TEAMS:
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (c), Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando
Australia: Matt Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cooper Connolly, Steve Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey (wk), Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson
Preamble
James Wallace
Hello and welcome to the first of two ODIs between Sri Lanka and Australia. After the Aussies scooped the two Test matches in Galle last week it is over to Colombo for a brace of games in coloured clothing. The matches will serves as tune up and run out for Australia before they head to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.
It’s not a rinse and repeat set of players for Australia, Steve Smith is set to captain after successfully helming the Test series and Jake-Fraser McGurk, Cooper Connolly, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Spencer Johnson and Tanveer Sangha are all names that have been added to the squad recently to cover for injury – in the cases of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh or as a result of a shock retirement – Marcus Stoinis having announced he has played his last ODI for his country. As this preamble is typed it is also noted that Mitchell Starc has opted out of these two games and the Champions trophy.
“We understand and respect Mitch’s decision,” Australian chair of selectors George Bailey said in a statement that landed a couple of hours ago.
“Mitch is deeply respected for his commitment to international cricket and the priority he places on performing for Australia.
“His well documented ability to play through pain and adversity, as well as forgoing opportunities in other parts of his career to put his country first should be applauded. His loss is of course a blow for the Champions Trophy campaign but does provide an opportunity to someone else to make a mark on the tournament.”
Lots to unpack and play for then for the visitors, let’s get into it.
Play starts at 10am local time, 3.30pm AEDT and 4.30am here in the UK.
