Didn’t we already have this match? Yes, but that was a warm-up. It was a one-sided affair with Sri Lanka never really threatening to impress. They batted out their 50 overs but only just and Australia reeled it in with ease. In spite of Sri Lanka’s minor upset win over Afghanistan, and their current position of 5th on the World Cup ladder thanks to two washouts, this match shouldn’t be much of a contest. Sri Lanka’s best hope is to pray for rain to wash out their 3rd match out of 5.
Can’t get enough cricket? Be sure to check out more of our 2019 World Cup content here.
Five Fearless Predictions:
(1) David Warner will really fire properly
He scored a century and is now 2nd on the run scoring list but it’s still not good enough. Now he needs to get 200 off 100 balls. Anything less than that won’t impress his detractors. A run a ball century and man of the match performance wasn’t good enough. A half century at a strike rate of 66 caused some to claim he had thrown the match. So this time he will really shine properly.
(2) Steve Smith will fire too
He’s been a bit unlucky the past couple of matches, falling to classic catches and players just doing incredible things, and that bout of bad luck is bound to end. He’s in great form, regardless of what the averages and scores might say. It’s time for him to put on a show.
(3) Sri Lanka won’t do as well as in the warm-up
In the warm-up Sri Lanka actually batted out their 50 overs and scored over 200. They won’t do that well this time. In spite of their win over Afghanistan, they are not in any kind of form. This one will be very one-sided.
(4) Australia will win
Unless there’s rain, of course. Rain is the only thing that will stop an Australian win.
(5) It will be one-sided
I know I got in trouble for predicting a one-sided South African win against Bangladesh only for Bangladesh to win, and I am cautious about this, but this would have to be a ridiculously huge upset for Sri Lanka to win. This isn’t 1996 here, though that win, at least per pre-tournament predictions, was a big upset too. Things are very different here, and Australia will win by a very long way. I hope.
Have an opinion you want to share? Be sure to join the conversation online by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter. Better yet, why not write for us?