Australia vs Sri Lanka Cricket World Cup Warm Up - Australia poised to hammer Sri Lanka

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 26 May 2019

Ralph Staniforth 26 May 2019

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More misery awaits Sri Lanka in Southampton

Expired

Former Australian captain, Steve Smith showed his class with 116 against England in a Word Cup warm up game(Getty Images)

Australia vs Sri Lanka Cricket World Cup Warm Up Preview, Predictions & Betting Tips

Australia travel to Southampton to take on Sri Lanka in their final game before the showpiece event kicks off following their World Cup warm up victory over England.

Australia’s form coming into this match is magnificent with eight wins from their last eight ODI’s while Sri Lanka have won one ODI in their last nine outings. It is difficult to look past another Australian win at 1.36 and David Warner to be Australia's best batsman at 3.50.

Australia Form & Team News

Australia’s preparation coming into the World Cup could not have been better. They won their last eight ODI matches leading up to the tournament and beat England in a World Cup warm up clash on Saturday in Southampton.

Australia mustered 297 off their 50 overs batting first with former captain Steve Smith scoring an excellent 116. Some players may be rested for this match but given Smith’s lack of international cricket over the last 18 months he will likely play again – he can be backed to be Australia’s best batsman at 4.50.

At the top of the Australian innings however sits David Warner, another player who is back from the international wilderness. His form has been spectacular, scoring the most runs in IPL 2019 (692) and getting 43 runs against England. I am tipping him to be Australia's best batsman agains Sri Lanka at 3.50.

Glenn Maxwell is also likely to feature as will Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc should they prove their fitness. Considering Sri Lanka’s terrible form and lack of any real quality I am tipping Australia to win at 1.36.

Sri lanka vs scotland odi — Sri Lanka have won only one of their last 9 ODI's(Getty Images)

Sri Lanka Form & Team News

1996 World Cup winners Sri Lanka are coming into the 2019 World Cup in terrible form. They enter this warm up game against Australia with only one win in their last nine ODI’s against lowly Scotland. In their warm up game against South Africa on Friday they were convincingly beaten.

Their bowlers struggled to contain the determined South Africans who scored 338 batting first. In reply opener Dimuth Karunaratne (87) and Angelo Mathews (64) were the only batsmen to show resisdence as Sri Lanka lost by 87 runs in Cardiff.

Their one win in nine ODI's will do little for Sri Lanka’s confidence. I have previously tipped them to finish with the wooden spoon at the 2019 Cricket World Cup. Sri Lanka’s form is poor but they have upset the odds before and are valued at 3.25 to take the Aussies down.

Australia vs Sri Lanka Head to Head

Australia have met Sri Lanka on 76 occasions since 1992. The Aussies have won 45 of those, Sri Lanka 29 and there were two no results.

The reading isn’t much better for the Sri Lankans in recent times which has seen them lose five of the last six encounters.

Australia vs Sri Lanka Match Up

Australia are looking ominously good as they head into the World Cup. Six months ago they looked a long way off being competitive but things have turned. The return of David Warner and Steve Smith has made them even stronger.

The glory days of Sri Lankan cricket seems to be well behind them. They have always managed to produce world class players but there is a distinct lack of that now.

On their day they still have players like Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera and Lasith Malinga who can win a game with individual brilliance but those performances have been too inconsistent of late. Malinga's bowling will be especially crucial to Sri Lanka's chances.

lasith malinga bowling — Lasith Malinga will be the key if Sri Lanka are to perform well(Getty Images)

Australia vs Sri Lanka Key Statistics

Australia have won their last 8 ODI’s.
Australia have won 5 of their last 6 ODI matches against Sri Lanka.
David Warner averaged 69 in IPL 2019 scoring 692 runs in 12 innings.
Sri Lanka have lost 8 of their last 9 completed ODI matches.
Sri Lanka are ranked 9th on the ODI world rankings and Australia 5th.

Verdict

Australia are in great form with eight wins on the trot including a World Cup warm up win over England on Saturday. Sri Lanka enter this match with only one win against Scotland in their last nine matches.

I am tipping Australia to beat Sri Lanka in Southampton at 1.36 and David Warner's form to continue by being Australia's best batsman at 3.50.

Best Bet: Australia Win @ 1.36 at bet365 – 5 Units

Best Australia Batsman Tip: David Warner @ 3.50 at bet365 - 2 Units