Ponting Replace Khawaja as Sri Lanka Send Aussies to Bat

Colombo: Sri Lanka have won the toss and decided to bowl in the third and final Test against Australia in Colombo.

The toss was delayed by 30 minutes because of a soggy outfield at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, with play scheduled to begin at 10.30am local time to allow the ground to dry from overnight rain.

Australia have recalled Ricky Ponting for the match, with Usman Khawaja the unlucky man to make way for the former skipper after he returned from attending the birth of his second child.

Unusually, Ponting has been selected to bat at number four with Shaun Marsh – fresh from his 141 on debut in Kandy – named at number three.

The Aussies have also rested paceman Ryan Harris who is nursing a slight hamstring strain, and he has been replaced by Victorian seamer Peter Siddle.

Sri Lanka have dropped Thilan Samaraweera, with captain Tillakaratne Dilshan dropping down the order to number five.

Off-spinner Rangana Herath returns after missing the second Test with a finger injury, while seamer Shaminda Eranga makes his debut and his fellow paceman Lahiru Thirimanne comes in for his second Test.

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