• I will continue to play my normal game, says the new skipper

The stage is set for Sri Lanka to meet their old nemesis Australia today (16) in the Cricket World Cup 2023 at the picturesque Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, India. 

Couple of forced changes were confirmed over the weekend with young slinger Matheesha Pathirana and skipper Dasun Shanaka. It is yet to be known who will replace both players. With Chamika Karunaratne announced as the like-for-like squad replacement for skipper Shanaka, he is most likely to replace him as the fast bowling all-rounder. Pathirana is most likely to be replaced by Lahiru Kumara in the XI against Australia. 

Speaking at the pre match press conference, stand-in captain Mendis responded to The Daily Mornings Sports query regarding the team combination, he said: “we are still discussing the combination. We are having a practice session in a while and after taking a look at the pitch tomorrow morning we will decide what sort of a combination we will play tomorrow.”

With regards to being appointed as the captain of the side, he said: “Very happy about the captaincy. I will continue to play my normal game despite the added responsibility. I don't think I need to change because I have led the team before and I will continue to play the same way at the top. I also don’t want to put a lot of pressure on myself just because I am captain. I know if I score runs that we can win the game.”

When asked about being hospitalised after the century against Pakistan, he said: “I was very upset that I couldn’t come to the field. I think we could have done something more in the game if I was on the field. It was a shortcoming from my end and I didn't expect it to be that bad.”

Mendis also mentioned about the injury to skipper Shanaka, “Losing Dasun is unfortunate because he was the genuine all-rounder in the side. As a team we are all saddened by his absence. When we lost Wanindu Hasaranga also we replaced him with a new player, and whoever replaces Dasun in the side must contribute to the team in the same way. As the captain, I would explain what his role will be and I hope Dasun will return to the side very soon,” he added. 

When asked about the similar situation both Sri Lanka and Australia are in, he said: “We both have lost both our opening games. But I think as a unit we are in a much better place because if you look at our games we competed at a higher level especially in the batting department. We are in a better place as a batting unit compared to them. They are coming to the game with doubts. As a team we are confident that we can beat them and we all believe we are a level better than them.”

Speaking at the pre-match press conference Australian skipper Pat Cummins speaking of the pitch conditions having played the game against South Africa at this venue, said: “I thought we bowled really well at the end of that innings but, fair play to South Africa. I thought they bowled really well their whole innings. Cutters seemed to work quite well last game, even just being a slightly bigger field here, that normally helps out the cutters into the wicket a little bit. So that's one thing. I think the way they bowled under lights, there was a fair bit in the wicket. So, if we get it on our terms like that, we just gotta make the most of it.”

The last time Sri Lanka defeated the mighty Aussies in a World Cup was 1996 World Cup Final. Since then the Aussies have had the better of the Lions beating them in 1999, 2003, 2007 (twice in the first round and in the final), 2015, and 2019. In 2011, the game was washed out at the R. Premadasa Stadium. The Last time Australia faced Sri Lanka in the format back in 2022, Sri Lanka pulled off a stunning 3-2 win in the 5-match ODI series.