T20 World Cup 2026: Misfortune-struck Australia takes on Sri Lanka in hope of avoiding exit

Australia seems to have had the misfortune of being struck by Murphy’s law in its ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. Injuries to Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins had already handicapped the 2021 champion heading into the tournament. A freak groin injury to skipper Mitchell Marsh during training and a shock 23-run loss to Zimbabwe in its second Group B encounter have further compounded the side’s issues.

The Aussies step into the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Monday knowing that a defeat to Sri Lanka might draw curtains on their World Cup campaign in the preliminary stage. The issues plaguing Australia stem from the top of the batting order. The side has lost the first wicket twice within the first seven balls of the innings. Stand-in captain Travis Head has yet to display his PowerPlay prowess.

Matt Renshaw, a late call-up to the squad in place of Matthew Short, was forced to drop anchor for the side in both its matches with wickets tumbling around him. The southpaw and the experienced middle order around him will hope for better support from the top three to unlock the power they possess. Host Sri Lanka, too, has seen its openers return to the dugout relatively early across both its contests. However, back-to-back fifties from number three Kusal Mendis helped the side lay the platform for a final flourish from the lower-middle order.

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The Lankan Lions earned a scratchy win over Ireland in their first encounter before blowing away Oman in Pallekele. The team cannot afford to display a shade of complacency, considering a setback in its next two encounters could derail its campaign quickly.

Dasun Shanaka will have to make do in this crunch contest without star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who has been ruled out of the tournament due to a hamstring issue. His replacement, Dushan Hemantha, was taken to the cleaners against Oman and could force a rethink of the playing eleven, considering the team is already carrying three other spin options.

The co-host registered a 200-plus total on the board in the only game held at the venue this tournament, but there was enough for the tweakers to work with. Only two of the 14 wickets to fall were picked by seamers during that contest. Adam Zampa already has four scalps to his credit this tournament, but Australia will need better control from Matthew Kuhnemann and Glenn Maxwell at the other end to build pressure and force a mistake from the home side.

A win for Sri Lanka in the first contest between the sides since the 2022 World Cup will seal its place in the Super Eight stage. Australia will hope it can turn up under pressure and escape the infamy of failing to make the semifinal at two successive editions.

Published on Feb 15, 2026