SL vs AUS: Australia's Predicted Playing XI Against Sri Lanka 4th ODI

Australia take on Sri Lanka in the fourth ODI in Colombo on June 21, Tuesday. The visitors have lost back-to-back games and now find themselves trailing in the series 1-2. They will need to win both their remaining games to win the series.

Australia have a lost list of injured players with Steve Smith the latest to be ruled out of the series. He did not play the third ODI after picking up a quad injury after his side’s loss in the third ODI. The side now has seven injured players. Kane Richardson has already been ruled out of the series. There is also no word on if Mitchell Starc can return to the XI for the last two remaining games.

In a situation like this, they have no other option but to play the same side that played the third ODI. The only change that seems possible is Pat Cummins coming in for Cameron Green to bolster their bowling attack which was not penetrative enough in the third ODI.

Sri Lanka vs Australia: Australia’s Predicted Playing XI Against Sri Lanka 4th ODI

David Warner

David Warner has been below par than his usual self in the series. in the three matches so far, he has scored only 46 runs including seven boundaries. He has not hit even a single six in the series. He will open the batting alongside his skipper Aaron Finch.

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Aaron Finch (C)

Finch has scored 120 runs from three matches so far and he is fresh from a 62 in the third ODI. He has been the most in-form Australian batter in the series. Finch has a big task on his hands heading into the fourth ODI, especially managing his bowlers well.

Mitchell Marsh

Mitchell Marsh has been continuously batting at number three ever since the T20 World Cup last year. He has been one of the consistent performers for his side with the bat. His role becomes more significant in the absence of Steve Smith.

Marnus Labuschagne

Labuschagne is still fresh to ODI cricket. He scored 29 in the third ODI but could not carry on for long when he needed to. He will slot in at number four in the playing XI.

Alex Carey (WK)

Carey is Australia’s first-choice wicketkeeper in ODIs these days. He scored a good-looking 49 in the third ODI but missed out on scoring a fifty. He added a 72-run stand with Travis Head for the fifth wicket.

Travis Head

Head top-scored for Australia in the third ODI. He scored 70 off 65 balls and played his part in taking Australia to 291 at the end of their 50 overs. A similar knock is required from him in the fourth game as well.

Glenn Maxwell

Maxwell batted at number seven in the last game. Given the availability of players, he needs to stick to that position in the series it seems. Maxwell scored 33 off 18 balls and bowled seven overs for 44 runs in the third ODI.

Pat Cummins

Cummins should replace Cameron Green in the playing XI for the fourth game. In the absence of Mitchell Starc and Adam Zampa, the Aussie Test skipper becomes a crucial cog of the team’s bowling attack.

Jhye Richardson

Richardson will be the second seamer in the XI. He was the best Aussie bowler in the third ODI picking up two wickets for 39 runs.

Matthew Kuhnemann

Injury to the regular players led to Kuhnemann’s ODI debut after he was drafted in from the Australia A side. He played the second and the third ODI and picked up two wickets on his debut. He went wicketless in the third ODI.

Josh Hazlewood

Hazlewood as the third seamer completes Australia’s strongest-looking playing Xi which they can field in the fourth ODI against Sri Lanka. As said earlier, the last two games are must-wins for the side.

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