The 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup has officially begun, and the defending champions Australia are set to face off against the Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka in their Group A match at the Sharjah Cricket Ground.
2. Head-to-Head Record
Australia has a perfect head-to-head record against Sri Lanka in T20 internationals, having won all seven matches played so far.
3. Key Players to Watch
For Australia, seasoned opener Beth Mooney will be a crucial cog. She is top of the ICC's T20 batter rankings going into the World Cup and has been instrumental in Australia's success in recent years.
4. Team Lineups
Australia's playing XI includes Alyssa Healy (captain/wicket-keeper), Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Sophie Molineux, Megan Schutt, and Darcie Brown. Sri Lanka's lineup features Vishmi Gunaratne, Chamari Athapaththu (captain), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Hasini Perera, Anushka Sanjeewani (wicket-keeper), Sugandika Kumari, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Udeshika Prabodhani, and Inoka Ranaweera.
5. Toss and Strategy
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first, a decision that could be influenced by the low-scoring encounters seen in the first two games of the tournament. Australia opted for an extra seamer in Darcie Brown, giving them spin options in Sophie Molineux, Georgia Wareham, and Ashleigh Gardner.
6. Pitch Conditions
The match is being played on a surface with significantly more green grass than Thursday's strip, which could affect the gameplay. The Sharjah surface is known to be slow, low, and dry.
7. Captain's Insights
Australia's captain Alyssa Healy expressed confidence in her team's preparation and adaptability. She also confirmed that Phoebe Litchfield is back from her injury, adding depth to their lineup. Sri Lanka's captain Chamari Athapaththu emphasized the importance of executing their plans well and playing positive cricket.
8. Past Performances
Sri Lanka has never beaten Australia in a T20I match. Their batting lineup, which struggled against Pakistan in their opening encounter, faces its toughest test yet against the reigning champions.
9. Live Streaming Details
The live telecast of the match will be available on Star Sports networks in India, while the live streaming will be available on the Disney Plus Hotstar app and website.
