Australia Seek Series Level at SCG

Sydney: Australia need to defeat Sri Lanka in the fourth one-day international at the SCG on Sunday to keep the five-match series alive.

After comprehensively winning the opener at the MCG by 107 runs, successive defeats in Adelaide and Brisbane have been particularly disappointing for the hosts.

It has not just been the losses, but the manner of them, that will concern captain Michael Clarke and his fellow selectors.

Initially Australia looked well off the pace in an eight-wicket loss to Sri Lanka at the Adelaide Oval, with a score of just 170 with the bat well below-par.

But an embarrassing batting capitulation at the 'Gabba on Friday, which saw them bowled out for just 74, led to heavy criticism for the much-talked about rotation policy.

As expected, selection was defended by Clarke, who felt his side played the swing bowling of Nuwan Kulasekara (5-22) and Lasith Malinga (3-14) poorly instead.

Although Australia's side on Friday looked much better – they introduced Clarke, David Warner and Mitchell Johnson among others – six changes to the team was simply too many and it was reflected by a shambolic performance.

With players under intense pressure to perform, knowing they could be dropped for one bad performance, the unsettled nature of the line-up has led to two below-par results.

Selectors are likely to stick with a similar side for the fourth match, although Tasmania seamer Jackson Bird has been drafted into the squad as a reserve bowler.

All-rounder Moises Henriques is likely to get another chance to show what he can do despite making just two on Friday, with the New South Welshman bowled by a stunning in-swinger from Kulasekara.

Sri Lanka are likely to recall at least Rangana Herath, with fellow spinner Ajantha Mendis also a chance to play on the spin-friendly SCG wicket.

But dropping a pace bowler will not be easy, particularly with Kulasekara and Malinga (seven wickets each this series) in terrific form.

A more likely change will see young seamer Shaminda Eranga make way, while all-rounder Thisara Perera could also make way.

With a talented batting line-up that includes Tillakaratne Dilshan (124 runs this series), Lahiru Thirimanne (109) and Dinesh Chandimal (73), Australia will be wary of what is possible if Mahela Jayawardene (six runs in two innings) hits form.

The last time the two sides met at the SCG, Sri Lanka recorded a comfortable eight-wicket win at the SCG with Jayawardene (61 not out) and Dilshan (45) helping the tourists chase down 152 with almost 18 overs to spare in February last year.

Teams

Australia MJ Clarke (captain), GJ Bailey, JM Bird, XJ Doherty, MC Henriques, PJ Hughes, DJ Hussey, MG Johnson, CJ McKay, GJ Maxwell, MA Starc, MS Wade (wk), DA Warner.

Sri Lanka DPMD Jayawardene (captain), AD Mathews, LD Chandimal (wk), A Dananjaya, TM Dilshan, RMS Eranga, HMRKB Herath, KMDN Kulasekara, RAS Lakmal, SL Malinga, BAW Mendis, BMAJ Mendis, MDKJ Perera (wk), NLTC Perera, WU Tharanga, HDRL Thirimanne

Pitch and conditions
The forecast for Sunday is a much more pleasant 25C, with a shower or two possible.

Stats and trivia

• Sri Lanka have not only won their past two ODIs against Australia at the SCG
• Ajantha Mendis needs two victims to reach 100 ODI wickets and if he reaches the milestone during this series he will be the quickest Sri Lankan to the mark

Match facts
Sunday January 20, 2013 (day/night)
Start time 1420 local (0320 GMT, 8.50am Sri Lanka)