ICC Champions Trophy 2013: Australia vs Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka turned around their Champions Trophy fortunes with a brilliant run chase against England, and in many ways they have been the second-best team in the tournament after India. The defeat against New Zealand was hard for them, but they exhibited a determined performance with the bat against England’s quality bowling attack. However, they still have quite a bit work to do when they meet Australia at The Oval in a make-or-break match. On the other hand, Australia should consider themselves lucky that they can still make a back-door entry into the semi-finals inspite of not having won a single game in this tournament so far.

Australia came into the Champions Trophy as the defending champions, and they had the perfect platform to justify that tag against arch-rivals England; but it was not to be. Playing without captain Michael Clarke, who has been kept out with a mysterious back injury, Australia lacked the traditional muscle in their batting. There is not a lot of fight about this Australian team on the field. Off it, perhaps it had a little too much as Warner’s controversial night out has marred the team’s preparations.

In such a situation, individuals like Adam Voges and George Bailey must give standout performances to take their team to victory. Sri Lanka have done that in this competition. The experience of Kumar Sangakkara has burst forth to the rescue of the Lankan lions as he smashed one of the better knocks that the Champions Trophy has seen against England. Here is a list of five players who can influence the crucial Group A game:

5. Clint Mckay

The tall fast bowler has pipped Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc in this competition and has been on the money consistently. He picked up two early wickets against New Zealand in the match that was eventually rained out, and finished with excellent figures of 2/38 in his 10 overs against England. Inspite of his height that makes the back-of-a-length length delivery a natural choice for him, he has assessed the conditions and has dared the batsmen to drive his full-length balls. If he can deliver the early blows against Sri Lanka, Australia can spring a surprise in this game.

4. Michael Clarke

The captain, who is still ‘hopeful’ of starting against Sri Lanka, is on this list because his return to the side will be a boon in more than one way. The middle-order looks weak and requires the stability and strength that he brings. He can score that match-winning innings on the day for the team, or can play the anchorman role and allow others to contribute around him. But most importantly, he needs to be there to boost the morale of this Australian team. The captain has not been with the team as he has been away in London nursing his injury. His leadership abilities will lift this team ahead of the match. If he does not play the game, George Bailey will bear the mantle once again; but inspite of his gritty knocks, he looks doesn’t possess the leadership qualities than Clarke does.

3. Lasith Malinga

The man with the golden arm. Malinga has had a good tournament so far, picking up 6 wickets in 2 games. He has comprehensively answered his critics who thought that he had lost his impact ever since batsmen had started to read his bowling action. He was devastating against the Kiwis with his pointed yorkers and baffling slower ones. He plays a vital role for Sri Lanka as a death-overs specialist, and if he can put in a good performance against Australia, Sri Lanka will be halfway to the semi-finals.

2. Shane Watson

The all-rounder has been missing from the action in this competition so far, even though he came in with scintillating form. He was slated to be the key batsman for Australia alongside David Warner as they formed a threatening opening partnership, but that pair has already been dismantled thanks to Warner’s night-club antics. He has failed with the bat twice and his partner David Warner is out of the team. Matthew Wade did a commendable job against the Kiwis, and he will join him once again against the Lankans. Watson’s ability is such that he can take the opposition out of the game with a blitzkrieg. He’s a captain’s delight with the ball as he has the knack of picking up crucial wickets and breaking partnerships. Australia will be hoping that their key man comes good in this encounter.

1. Kumar Sangakkara

The left-handed batsmen has been the force of this Lankan team in this tournament so far. He has fired on all cylinders. The time he spent on the wicket against New Zealand in hostile conditions as wickets fell all around him helped him pile on the misery against England. His consistency will be a cause of worry for the Aussies, who will have to bear the additional burden of chasing down the net run rate along with target set by Sri Lanka. Sangakkara’s elegance is combined with an invincible technique that allows him to make that smooth transition from dry, spinning sub-continental tracks to English conditions.