Sri Lanka have not played an ODI against Australia since 2019, but they know what they need to do. Resilience has been a buzzword for Chamari Athapaththu, and in that sense it’s clear that any lingering hang-ups from that opening defeat will be well behind them come Saturday. But execution might be the more pertinent declaration if they’re to show their best selves against the defending champions.

With free entry being granted to the stadium, Sri Lanka will also be hoping for substantial home support. They’re also very familiar with the Khettarama surface, as the high-performance centre where the national players train is located there. So while Sri Lanka have never beaten Australia in an ODI, the conditions for an upset are nevertheless in place.

Like the surprise manifestation of a final boss’ second health bar after you think you’ve finally got them beat, Ashleigh Gardner sits spearheading Australia’s lower middle order. Her 115 off 83 against New Zealand served to highlight not just the resilience of this Australian outfit, but their entire aura. While her role is a challenging one, it’s invaluable in that it affords the licence for those above her to play with freedom, while allowing her to provide guidance to those below her. And it means that while she is at the crease, Australia are never beat.

In August 2024, Vishmi Gunerathne struck her maiden ODI hundred against Ireland. Her three innings in the lead-up to that read 40, 50, 44. But in ten innings since then, she has not been able to cross 36.  While Athapaththu would be the obvious pick for this section, if Sri Lanka are to challenge Australia, they need the rest of their batting to chip in in a big way. Gunaratne has been out of sorts, but Sri Lanka will be banking on her rediscovering her groove even though it’s her first ODI against Australia.

Australia are unlikely to make any changes to the batting, though it remains to be seen if Darcie Brown continues in place of Megan Schutt.

Australia (probable):  Alyssa Healy (capt & wk),  Phoebe Litchfield,  Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney,  Annabel Sutherland,  Ashleigh Gardner,  Tahlia McGrath,  Sophie Molineux,  Kim Garth,  Alana King,  Darcie Brown

Sri Lanka played their first-choice XI against India, and it’s unlikely there will be any changes.

Sri Lanka (probable):  Hasini Perera,  Chamari Athapaththu (capt),  Harshitha Samarawickrama,  Vishmi Gunaratne,  Kavisha Dilhari,  Anushka Sanjeewani (wk),  Nilakshika Silva,  Sugandika Kumari,  Inoka Ranaweera,  Achini Kulasuriya,  Udeshika Prabodhani

[Cricinfo]