Cricket World Cup 2015 Schedule: Dates, Times, Venues for Upcoming Fixtures
Australia's enticing fixture against Sri Lanka can be considered one of the must-see matches remaining in the 2015 Cricket World Cup's group stages.
Both sides are showing an impressive run of form and have the credentials to make a lasting impression at this year's tournament. They will go head-to-head on Sunday, with the rest of the remaining schedule highlighted below:
| March 8 | 10 p.m. (day before) | New Zealand vs. Afghanistan | Napier |
| March 8 | 3:30 a.m. | Australia vs. Sri Lanka | Sydney |
| March 9 | 3:30 a.m. | England vs. Bangladesh | Adelaide |
| March 10 | 1 a.m. | India vs. Ireland | Hamilton |
| March 11 | 3:30 a.m. | Sri Lanka vs. Scotland | Hobart |
| March 12 | 1 a.m. | South Africa vs. UAE | Wellington |
| March 13 | 1 a.m. | Bangladesh vs. New Zealand | Hamilton |
| March 13 | 3:30 a.m. | England vs. Afghanistan | Sydney |
| March 14 | 1 a.m. | India vs. Zimbabwe | Auckland |
| March 14 | 3:30 a.m. | Australia vs. Scotland | Hobart |
| March 15 | 10 p.m. (day before) | West Indies vs. UAE | Napier |
| March 15 | 3:30 a.m. | Pakistan vs. Ireland | Adelaide |
| March 18 | 3:30 a.m. | Quarter-final 1 | Sydney |
| March 19 | 3:30 a.m. | Quarter-final 2 | Melbourne |
| March 20 | 3:30 a.m. | Quarter-final 3 | Adelaide |
| March 21 | 1 a.m. | Quarter-final 4 | Wellington |
| March 24 | 1 a.m. | Semi-final 1 | Auckland |
| March 25 | 3:30 a.m. | Semi-final 2 | Sydney |
| March 29 | 4:30 a.m. BST | Final | Melbourne |
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Sri Lanka to Provide Australia with Significant Scare
Few would bet against Australia after they put up a record score against Afghanistan on Wednesday. Their 417 total—led by David Warner's knock of 178—deserves major plaudits. Glenn Maxwell's quickfire 88 included 13 boundaries in 39 balls, per BBC Sport, underlining the team's aggression and willingness to make a statement.
Aaron Finch's 135 led the side to victory over England during their opening encounter of the tournament, but when Australia faced considerable quality, they came up short. They were unable to come back against New Zealand, losing by one wicket and suffering against the medium-fast bowling technique of Trent Boult, who finished with figures of 5-32.
With the Aussies' match against Bangladesh unfortunately washed out, the side are yet to beat opposition who aren't fodder to drop out at the first hurdle.
Step up, Sri Lanka. The island side sit above Australia in Pool A with four games played, beating Afghanistan, Bangladesh and England after losing to New Zealand. Confidence is improving and individual leaders are starting to make their influences known.
Kumar Sangakkara and Lahiru Thirimanne have enjoyed an excellent turn of form, averaging 134.00 and 85.33 respectively in four innings each, recorded by ESPN Cricinfo. As such, Sri Lanka have had 200 runs in their pocket before needing to break sweat in recent matches, even before Tillakaratne Dilshan's average of 76.33 is taken into account.
These three are capable of total destruction, setting a score of 312 with Dilshan still at the crease to beat England last time out. Sangakkara and Dilshan aren't likely to appear at another World Cup due to the pitfalls of age setting in, but they are playing with an infectiously confident attitude.
ESPN Cricinfo and former Sri Lanka star Russel Arnold recently highlighted this:
Australia have come up against tentative batting sides in two of their opening three fixtures and may struggle to deal with the added expectation after their performance against Afghanistan.
Sri Lanka have the power to hound from the very off, whether they bat or bowl first. Both Suranga Lakmal and Lasith Malinga have taken seven wickets throughout the competition, but Angelo Mathews' side haven't proven overdependent on their output.
Six different bowlers finished with a wicket against England, with Dilshan (1-35) and Rangana Herath (1-35) picking up the slack when Lakmal (1-71) and Malinga (1-63) struggled to find their rhythm.
Experienced players are ready to step up with significant contributions, a factor which ensures Australia must be on their guard when the two teams meet in Sydney on Sunday.
Former Sri Lanka coach Trevor Bayliss recently warned the Aussies of Sri Lanka's quality, saying: "They're playing some pretty good cricket," per Chris Barrett of the Sydney Morning Herald.
"Australia will have to be at their very best to beat them. They are the reigning T20 world champions for a reason."
The likes of Sangakkara and Dilshan are most likely journeying toward the end of their World Cup careers and will be looking to make a splash. There's no better opportunity to do it than against an Aussie side who are expected to push on after they rewrote history last time out.
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