Mitchell Marsh is back in the Australian XI – and back at the toss – for what is, realistically, a must-win against Sri Lanka in Colombo. After a quick chat with Dasun Shanaka, Marsh called tails, lost, and watched Sri Lanka choose to field. Australia rued the same scenario against Zimbabwe two nights ago, yet in a day-night fixture the lure of late-evening dew is hard to ignore.
Australia have shuffled the pack. Steven Smith stays on the bench, Matt Renshaw – their leading run-scorer so far – is also left out. In come left-arm spinner-bat Cooper Connolly and seamer Xavier Bartlett, replacing Matthew Kuhnemann and Ben Dwarshius. The balance looks unchanged, Connolly offering a touch more depth with the bat.
Sri Lanka make just the one tweak. Kusal Perera returns at the top, taking the place of Kamil Mishara. Otherwise Shanaka keeps faith with the XI that has served him well.
The stakes are clear. Australia’s defeat to Zimbabwe leaves their fate in others’ hands. A win tonight keeps them alive, but they still need Zimbabwe to slip against Ireland. If Zimbabwe beat Ireland and then fall to Sri Lanka, a three-way tie looms. Lose here and Australia must pray Zimbabwe are beaten twice.
Sri Lanka, a shade better placed, still know a defeat would drag them into the same mathematical mire before meeting Zimbabwe.
Playing XIs
Australia: Mitchell Marsh (capt.), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis (wk), Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa.
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka (capt.), Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana.
