Australia Looks Avoid Another Whitewash

Brisbane: Australian regular ODI & Test skipper Ricky Ponting has been rested from tomorrow's dead-rubber one-day international against Sri Lanka to help him prepare for the upcoming Ashes series.

Ponting made just 10 in his side's 29-run loss to the Sri Lankans at the SCG on Friday night, giving the tourists their maiden series win on Australian soil.

The rain-affected match was also Australia's seventh straight defeat in all forms of the game dating back to July.

Ponting heading to Shield cricket to practice his hook shot, Australia should bring in Callum Ferguson for his first ODI since he hurt his knee in the 2009 Champions Trophy final. Given the conditions in Brisbane, it is unlikely Xavier Doherty will return, but John Hastings could be a chance to replace one of the fast bowlers.

Sri Lanka's breakthrough tour began with a Twenty20 victory and was followed by a great escape in Melbourne. They then ensured Sunday's third ODI would be a dead rubbed with a controlled victory in Sydney. Sri Lanka are a highly professional outfit with men for any conditions, so not much will bother them at the Gabba.

Sri Lanka have no reason to change anything but a golden chance for Sri Lankan test bench strength. Kumar Sangakkara has led them well and they will look to the top three to provide them with a solid platform. The seamers Nuwan Kulasekara and Thisara Perera should enjoy the Gabba pitch.

Team from

Australia: Michael Clarke (capt), Shane Watson, Callum Ferguson, Cameron White, Brad Haddin (wk), John Hastings, Nathan Hauritz, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Clint McKay, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Xavier Doherty.

Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (capt & wk), Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Angelo Mathews, Chamara Kapugedera, Lasith Malinga, Dinesh Chandimal, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Chamara Silva, Suraj Randiv, Nuwan Kulasekara, Muttiah Muralitharan, Dammika Prasad, Dilhara Fernando.

Pitch and conditions
In the previous game at the Gabba, Queensland were dismissed for 75 and 96 to end the Sheffield Shield fixture in two days. There has been some more sun around this week but it will still be a wicket for the bowlers. A shower or two is forecast for Brisbane on Sunday, with a top temperature of 26.

Stats and trivia

• Some good news for Australia: they have never lost a match to Sri Lanka at the Gabba. That includes two Tests and ODIs in 2003 and 2006
• In six ODIs at the ground, Muralitharan has 12 wickets at an average of 17.66, including 4 for 27 against Australia in 2003. Nathan Hauritz has one victim in two games and has gone for 115 runs
• Michael Clarke has led Australia in 17 ODIs, winning 12 and losing five. Two of his five centuries have come while in charge, and his average of 47.78 is four runs better than when he's not the leader

Match facts
Sunday November 07, 2010 (Day/night)
Start time 13:20 local (3:20 GMT)