World Cup 2015, Match Preview: Australia, Sri Lanka to Battle for Second Spot in Pool A
Sri Lanka have suffered two major injury blows but remain upbeat. Australia, on the other hand, are on a high after a big win against minnows Afghanistan.
Having had similar results till now, Australia and Sri Lanka will be looking for bragging rights before heading into quarterfinals when they take on each other in a Pool A match of the ICC cricket World Cup, here on Sunday. (Complete coverage of World Cup)
With New Zealand comfortably perched at the top of the group table, co-hosts Australia and 1996 champions Sri Lanka are now fighting it out for a possible second-place finish and avoid a last-eight collision with South Africa.
Having won three of their four ODIs, Sri Lanka are just a point ahead of the Michael Clarke-led side, which is fresh from a 275-run mauling of minnows Afghanistan.
Sri Lanka are also in top form having humbled England by 9 wickets in their last game. Chasing a 310-run target in Wellington, Sri Lanka showed no signs of panic as a clinical batting display saw them canter to their target in 47.2 overs.
The two centurions of that game, Lahiru Thirimanne and Kumar Sangakkara also feature in the top-10 run-scorers list in the tournament so far, led by West Indies' Chris Gayle.
Sangakkara believes the game is crucial for both the sides.
"A side that has won every one of their games, maybe they don't have to worry too much, but when you're not in that situation, you might start thinking about who you'll face in the quarter-finals and whether these wins have any bearing on what happens there," Sangakkara said.
For, Sri Lanka, spinner Rangana Herath will miss the game with a finger injury while batsman Dimuth Karunaratne suffered a tournament-ending broken finger batting in the nets.