Australia Eye Clean Sweep Against Sri Lanka

Sydney: Australia are eyeing a series sweep over battered Sri Lanka in a poignant third Test starting in Sydney on Thursday overshadowed by the death of Tony Greig and marking the end of Michael Hussey's prolific career.

Michael Clarke's Australians swept Sri Lanka aside by an innings and 201 runs to win the second Test inside three days in Melbourne and seal the series after a comprehensive win in the first Test.

The visitors have lost talismanic batsman Kumar Sangakkara with a fractured finger and have other injury issues, adding to an uphill task as Sri Lanka chase their first ever Test win Down Under at the 13th attempt.

Given the gulf between the third-ranked Australians and Sri Lanka, ranked number six, the chances of an against-the-odds win appear remote as Australia build towards their tour of India, starting next month.

Sri Lanka's efforts for redemption come as the cricket world mourns the death of former England captain and broadcaster Greig from a heart attack at the age of 66 in Sydney on Saturday.

The match also marks the final Test appearance of veteran batting mainstay Hussey, who announced at the weekend that he wanted to spend more time with his four young children.

Hussey, 37, holds the record for most Test centuries against Sri Lanka, with five tons among his 19 hundreds in 78 Tests at 51.52.

Glenn Maxwell has been left out of Australia's line-up and instead they will use Mitchell Johnson as an allrounder at No.7. Michael Clarke has been passed fit to play, which means Usman Khawaja will be released from the squad.

Experienced batsman Thilan Samaraweera said his Sri Lankan team-mates were desperate to put the Melbourne debacle behind them.

Skipper Mahela Jayawardene will be under extra pressure to perform in the absence of Sangakkara who, like his skipper, has 10,000 Test runs under his belt.

Jayawardene has struggled for runs away from home in recent years and has gone 26 innings in away Tests without making a half-century.

Sri Lanka will make at least two forced changes to their side from Melbourne, with Kumar Sangakkara out due to his hand injury and Chanaka Welegedara to miss out due to a hamstring problem. Dinesh Chandimal is expected to come in for Sangakkara, while Nuwan Pradeep is the likely inclusion for Welegedara.

The Sri Lankans are also waiting on news of wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene, who suffered a hairline fracture to his thumb during the last Test. If he is ruled out, Lahiru Thirimanne would likely take his place in the line-up and Chandimal would keep wicket.

Teams

Australia Ed Cowan, David Warner, Phillip Hughes, Michael Clarke (capt), Michael Hussey, Matthew Wade (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird.

Sri Lanka (from) Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Dimuth Karunaratne, Thilan Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Shaminda Eranga, Nuwan Pradeep, Rangana Herath, Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), Suraj Randiv, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Tharanga Paranavitana, Dhammika Prasad, Lahiru Thirimanne

Pitch and conditions
The SCG is not the spin haven it once was, as evidenced by Australia's decision to choose one four fats men and one spinner instead of two slow-bowling options. The weather for most of the Test is expected to be good, although there could be occasional showers on days four and five.

Stats and trivia

• Michael Clarke needs 87 runs to go past Don Bradman's career tally of 6996 Test runs
• Mitchell Johnson will play his 50th Test and will become the 11th Australian fast bowler to reach the milestone
• Michael Hussey's final Test will also be his 79th consecutive Test since his debut. The only players currently enjoying longer streaks are AB de Villiers (80), Alastair Cook (85) and Mahela Jayawardene, who in Sydney will play his 93rd consecutive Test

Match facts
January 3-7, 2013
Start time 1030 local (2330 GMT Wednesday)