Predicting Australia’s Playing XI for their first ODI against Sri Lanka 

Predicting Australia’s playing XI for their first ODI against Sri Lanka. Defending ODI World Cup winners Australia head into Champions Trophy 2025 without some of their key players. Skipper Pat Cummins has been ruled out along with pacer Josh Hazlewood, and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh. To compound more misery, even Marcus Stoinis has just called time on his ODI career to put the Aussies in a limbo. 

One thing that people cannot forget is that Australia are one of the behemoths when it comes to ICC tournaments. The current form for Australia has seen them win their home series against India and regain the Border Gavaskar Trophy. This was followed by their 2-0 win in Sri Lanka where they outclassed the hosts in their own backyard. 

Here is Australia’s Playing XI vs Sri Lanka:

Top order:

Matthew Short has been more than capable as an opener in whatever little chances he has got. Short is coming on the back off a tremendous BBL season where he was one of the best batters for his Adelaide side. Travis Head’s talents need no introduction as the left-handed batter has been a constant headache for bowlers across the world. Head has already showcased his big hitting prowess during the recent Test series. 

Middle Order:

Australia’s middle-order will see Marnus Labuschagne bat at number three in the ODI side. The 30-year-old has been undergoing bad form with the bat in recent times. Steve Smith has been in tremendous form with centuries against India and Sri Lanka as well as a quick BBL ton to show his white-ball form. Josh Inglis made an instant impact on his Test debut with a ton and is a dangerous player in the shorter formats of the game. 

Lower-order:

Glenn Maxwell is in red hot form with the bat and nearly led his Melbourne Stars into the finals of the recently concluded BBL. Maxwell apart from his spectacular batting is also more than capable with the bat in the middle-overs. Cooper Connolly has been impressing the cricketing world with his batting and also his bowling that is effective. Nathan Ellis will be a key player for Australia with the ball in the death overs as the pitches in Sri Lanka will favor his style of bowling. 

Tail enders:

Left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc will be the spearhead with the new ball and Starc just needs six wickets to complete 250 wickets in ODI cricket. The left-armer will become the 4th bowler to achieve this feat. Sean Abbott will lend much needed depth with the bat and is more than capable with the ball in hand. Adam Zampa has been the best spinner in the white-ball format and will look to get running with the ball ahead of Champions Trophy. 

Australia XI vs Sri Lanka

Matt Short, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Cooper Connolly, Nathan Ellis, Mitchell Starc, Sean Abbott, Adam Zampa. 

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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