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Galle: Michael Clarke's official reign as Australian captain will begin in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle, starting Wednesday.
Clarke has led his country before, in the final Test of the Ashes series, but that was in Ricky Ponting's absence.
Ponting's back, but not at the helm after abdicating in March, leaving the New South Welshman to start building a new legacy.
Australia warmed up for the series opener with an encouraging performance in Colombo against the Sri Lankan Board XI.
But the three-day match appears to have presented more questions than answers for Clarke, particularly surrounding the No.6 batting position and the make-up of the visitors' attack.
Usman Khawaja, who caught the eye in his Test debut against England last January, and Shaun Marsh are vying for the six berth.
Khawaja seized his chance with a composed century, but did that as an opener, while Marsh missed out, making a scratchy 12.
Clarke hasn't given much away on who is the frontrunner.
With a batting order sure to read Watson, Hughes, Ponting, Clarke, Hussey and Haddin at seven, it is a decision that will provide a different dimension to the Australian line-up.
Clarke also has a call to make with the ball after Trent Copeland put his hand up for a Test debut in the tour match.
Copeland claimed 5-47 from 20 overs in the first innings and backed that up with another victim in the second dig.
As far as auditions go, it was a mighty fine one, but he's no certainty to debut as the new skipper weighs up whether he'll play two spinners.
Michael Beer and Nathan Lyon boast one Test of experience between them and didn't exactly bang the door down for selection with their performances in the tour match.
In the pair's favour is the fact the Galle International Stadium wicket has a reputation for taking turn and the expectation is the hosts will field a dual-pronged slow-bowling attack.
Ryan Harris appears to have the edge as the second paceman after Mitchell Johnson, while the expectation is if Clarke plays three quicks, then Copeland will beat Peter Siddle for the final berth.
Sri Lanka have included uncapped leg-spinner Seekkuge Prasanna in an extended squad, while mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis will also play.
All-rounder Angelo Matthews is in the frame to make his first Test appearance since December 2010, while the batting order is formidable, headlined by captain Tillakaratne Dilshan.
Dilshan will be flanked by the classy Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, who both have to fire if the home side is to apply sufficient pressure on the visiting attack.
Australia goes into the match with the benefit of history on their side.
The country's have met 20 times in Test cricket - Australia winning 13 times to Sri Lanka's once, with six draws.
Australia's record in Sri Lanka is also impressive, five wins and only one defeat from 10 Tests.
For everything, weather may well have the final say with showers predicted for every day of the Test.
Teams from
Sri Lanka TM Dilshan (captain), RMS Eranga, HMRKB Herath, DPMD Jayawardene, HAPW Jayawardene (wk), S Randiv, RAS Lakmal, AD Mathews, BAW Mendis, NT Paranavitana, KTGD Prasad, S Prasanna, TT Samaraweera, KC Sangakkara, HDRL Thirimanne, UWMBCA Welegedara
Australia MJ Clarke (captain), SR Watson, MA Beer, TA Copeland, BJ Haddin (wk), RJ Harris, PJ Hughes, MEK Hussey, MG Johnson, UT Khawaja, NM Lyon, SE Marsh, JL Pattinson, RT Ponting, PM Siddle
Pitch and conditions
The absence of any great pace threat means the Galle pitch is likely to take spin from the start, a state of affairs confirmed by the Australians' first visit to the ground on Monday. They were able to digest the sight of a bone-dry surface with very little grass coverage, and those attributes will only be heightened as the Test goes on.
Stats and trivia
Match facts
August 31-September 4, 2011
Start time 10:00 (04:30 GMT, 14:30 EST)
