Key posts
Who will win?
COVID and cricket – how it works now
If he does play, Adam Zampa won’t be the first Australian to take the field despite having COVID-19, with star all-rounder Tahlia McGrath playing in this year’s Commonwealth Games women’s gold medal match despite testing positive to the virus.
Players are permitted to take the field these days with COVID symptoms. There is no mandatory testing or isolation period for COVID at this tournament, with team doctors “to assess whether it is appropriate” for any infected players to play.
Zampa has a great record against Sri Lanka, with 21 wickets at an average of 13 against them in Twenty20 internationals.
Western Australia spinner Ashton Agar is Zampa’s likely replacement, but we’ll find out the final line-ups in the next half hour or so.
Zampa has COVID – but may still play
By Malcolm Conn
We’ve got a bit of news early on with Australia’s spinner Adam Zampa in serious doubt for tonight’s match with COVID-19. Here’s an update from our man in Perth, Malcolm Conn:
Australian bowler Adam Zampa is recovering from a COVID-19 infection and is available for selection in tonight’s match against Sri Lanka in Perth. Zampa’s symptoms are improving and are now reported as minor in severity.
If chosen Zampa will travel to the match separately and be located away from the Australian playing and staff group but is free to play under ICC guidelines. A decision will be made closer to the toss.
Ireland all-rounder George Dockrell played against Sri Lanka in Hobart yesterday despite being declared as a positive case.
No other Australian squad members or staff have reported symptoms.
Adam Zampa is in doubt for Australia with COVID-19.Credit:Getty
Hello and welcome
By Dominic Brock
Welcome to our live coverage of Australia’s Twenty20 World Cup match against Sri Lanka in Perth. Play is due to begin at 7pm local time, or 10pm in Sydney and Melbourne.
Every game is crucial for Australia after they were handed an 89-run thrashing by New Zealand in the opening match of the Super 12 stage on Saturday night. Not only do the Aussies need a win here, but they’ll be keen to rack up some big victories to make up for the horror net run rate from that defeat to the Kiwis. The top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals.
Sri Lanka have already overcome their own poor start to the tournament to reach the Super 12s. They were stunned by Namibia in a 55-run loss before recovering to beat the UAE and Netherlands.
Their first game of the Super 12s was a thumping nine-wicket win over Ireland on Sunday, with wicket-keeper Kusal Mendis scoring an unbeaten 68 from 43 balls at the top of the order as Sri Lanka chased down the target of 128 with five overs to spare.
