AUS vs SL: Revealed - Why Is Matheesha Pathirana Not Playing Today's Match Against Australia

Sri Lanka will take on Australia in the 14th match of the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. It is a must-win clash for both teams after their disastrous start in the tournament.

Both teams have started their respective campaigns with two defeats. While Sri Lanka have lost their opening two games against South Africa and Pakistan, Australia ended up on the wrong side of the result against hosts India and South Africa.

Matheesha Pathirana out of Australia clash:

Sri Lanka and Australia’s chances of progressing to the semifinal hangs by a thread. A defeat in the upcoming game can all but seal the losing team’s fate in the 2023 World Cup. With so much at stake, Sri Lanka would have loved to play a full-strength side against the five-time world champions.

However, they will be without their star pacer Matheesha Pathirana for the huge clash. Speaking at toss, Sri Lanka’s stand-in captain Kusal Mendis confirmed that the pacer would not play the game. The pacer Matheesha Pathirana is sidelined with a shoulder injury.

It is the second big blow for Sri Lanka who have also lost the services of their captain Dasun Shanaka for the rest of the competition. Shanaka and Pathirana have been replaced by Chamika Karunaratne and Lahiru Kumara in the playing XI.

Two changes for ??, Chamika and Lahiru Kumara IN for injured Dasun and Matheesha ?#LankanLions #CWC23 #SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/OLvfnXnBqA

— Sri Lanka Cricket ?? (@OfficialSLC) October 16, 2023

“We will bat first, the wicket is looking good and it might turn a bit in the second half. We have 2 changes. Dasun and Matheesha are not playing and Chamika and Lahiru Kumara are playing. Unfortunately Dasun is not playing, really important match today. Par score might be 280-300, hopefully we can manage that,” said Mendis.

From Lucknow ?

Due to a shoulder injury, ?? Pacer Matheesha Pathirana is not available for Sri Lanka’s next two matches of ICC World Cup 2023.

It is reported that Matheesha has undergone a scan and the scan has confirmed this#sportspavilionlk #CWC23 #ICCWorldCup2023 pic.twitter.com/xbNG7A6s91

— DANUSHKA ARAVINDA (@DanuskaAravinda) October 13, 2023

Australia (Playing XI):

Mitchell Marsh, David Warner, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis(w), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins(c), Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

Sri Lanka (Playing XI):

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis(w/c), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Chamika Karunaratne, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka