ICC Champions Trophy 2013: Australia vs Sri Lanka - Five Players to watch out for

Sri Lanka turned around their Champions Trophy fortunes with a brilliant run chase against England, and in many ways they have been the second-best team in the tournament after India. The defeat against New Zealand was hard for them, but they exhibited a determined performance with the bat against England’s quality bowling attack. However, they still have quite a bit work to do when they meet Australia at The Oval in a make-or-break match. On the other hand, Australia should consider themselves lucky that they can still make a back-door entry into the semi-finals inspite of not having won a single game in this tournament so far.

Australia came into the Champions Trophy as the defending champions, and they had the perfect platform to justify that tag against arch-rivals England; but it was not to be. Playing without captain Michael Clarke, who has been kept out with a mysterious back injury, Australia lacked the traditional muscle in their batting. There is not a lot of fight about this Australian team on the field. Off it, perhaps it had a little too much as Warner’s controversial night out has marred the team’s preparations.

In such a situation, individuals like Adam Voges and George Bailey must give standout performances to take their team to victory. Sri Lanka have done that in this competition. The experience of Kumar Sangakkara has burst forth to the rescue of the Lankan lions as he smashed one of the better knocks that the Champions Trophy has seen against England. Here is a list of five players who can influence the crucial Group A game:

5. Clint Mckay    

The tall fast bowler has pipped Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc in this competition and has been on the money consistently. He picked up two early wickets against New Zealand in the match that was eventually rained out, and finished with excellent figures of 2/38 in his 10 overs against England. Inspite of his height that makes the back-of-a-length length delivery a natural choice for him, he has assessed the conditions and has dared the batsmen to drive his full-length balls. If he can deliver the early blows against Sri Lanka, Australia can spring a surprise in this game.