Struggling Australia Look for ODI Redemption

Colombo: Australia will look to restore some battered pride when they begin their one-day series against Sri Lanka Sunday, hoping that some fresh blood can help reverse a string of defeats on a miserable tour.

Days after losing their title as the world's top Test team, the reigning champions in 50-over cricket will be determined to stop the rot when they take to the field in the first of five ODIs against an upbeat Sri Lanka.

Angelo Mathews' side completed a 3-0 series whitewash over the tourists on Wednesday when they won the final Test in Colombo by 163 runs, a result which led to Australia being toppled by India at the top of the rankings.

Australian captain Steve Smith admitted they had been totally outclassed after failing to come to terms with the turning Sri Lankan wickets, both with bat and ball.

While Smith remains at the helm of the ODI side, the squad will be bolstered by one-day specialists such as allrounders Aaron Finch and James Faulkner, along with young spinner Adam Zampa.

Mitchell Marsh, who was earlier named in the ODI squad, was released after the Test series and his place in the starting line-up is expected to be taken by another allrounder Moises Henriques.

Faulkner is expected to bolster the batting line-up which struggled in the Test series, particularly against veteran spinner Rangana Herath who has retired from ODIs.

Sri Lanka, who saw four of their top fast bowlers suffer injuries on a recent tour of England, now have Nuwan Pradeep and Suranga Lakmal, who played the final Test in Colombo, back in contention.

Sunday's match is the first of two games in Colombo before the contest continues with two matches in Dambulla and wraps up in Pallekele on September 4.

Teams from:

Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (capt), Dinesh Chandimal (vice-capt), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Dhananjaya de Silva, Milinda Siriwardana, Avishka Fernando, Danushka Gunathilaka, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Thisara Perera, Dilruwan Perera, Seekkuge Prasanna, Lakshan Sandakan and Amila Aponso.

Australia: Steve Smith (capt), David Warner, George Bailey, Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Shaun Marsh, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa.

Stats & trivia

• 91-match played between Australia and Sri Lanka, Aussies with 56-31. Last match played in World Cup, Australia won by 64-run
• Of the 22 completed ODIs between these two teams, in Sri Lanka, the hosts have won 13 matches and lost nine.
• If Mitchell Starc gets two wickets in the first ODI, he will be the fastest bowler ever to 100 wickets.

Match facts
21 August 2016 (day/night)
Start time 14:30 local (09:00 GMT)