Sri Lanka Need Big Guns to Fire Against Aussies

Perth: Sri Lanka's top order batsmen will have to deliver when they go into their second tri-series ODI against formidable Australia on Friday, hoping to revive their fortunes after a series of indifferent shows of late.

Except for youngster Dinesh Chandimal, no other Lankan batsman could make a substantial contribution against India in the last match and the visitors will be determined to put up a better show.

Sri Lanka would need Tillakaratne Dilshan to fire at the top while Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene would be the key in the middle-order.

If the middle-order is among runs, the job of Angelo Matthews down the order becomes easy. Matthews has been in ominous touch and the island nation needs the all-rounder to continue with his splendid show.

However, it remains to be seen how the Lanka batsman tackle the Australian paceman, who have troubled the experienced Indian line-up right through the tour.

Australia have lost Brett Lee to injury but youngster Mitchell Starc and Clint McKay did extremely well. They would relish bowling on the bouncy WACA track.

The way the Lankans struggled against off-spinner R Ashwin, role of Xavier Doherty would also be crucial for Australia.

The hosts are also likely to hand the debutant's cap to youngster Peter Forrest in place of either David Warner of David Hussey.

But David has been in good touch since the Twenty20s against India and would not like to sit out. The selectors had hinted that seniors Ricky Ponting or Michael Hussey may also be rested as per the rotation policy.

It will be interesting to see who Forrest replaces in Friday's contest. Sri Lanka also need to improve their fielding. They sometimes were scrappy, especially near the boundary ropes, against India.

Slinging fast bowler Lasith Malinga can swing the tide in his side's favour with his teasing, toe crushing balls but would need support of the other bowlers as well who need to bowl with discipline.

It's a long series with each playing eight matches but losing two consecutive matches would not help the cause of the World Cup runners-up.

Skipper Jayawardene has already spiced up the contest by terming the host fast bowlers "a weak attack". And the Australians would want to give a fitting reply to the challenge.

Teams from:

Australia: Michael Clarke (captain), Matthew Wade (wk), David Warner, Ricky Ponting, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Daniel Christian, Xavier Doherty, Peter Forrest, Ryan Harris, Clint McKay, Mitchell Marshand Mitchell Starc.

Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Matthews, Farveez Maharoof, Lasith Malinga, Thisara Perera, Sachitra Senanayke, Lahiru Thirimanne, Chanaka Welegedara, Dhammika Prasad, Thilan Samaraweera, Rangana Herath and Nuwan Kulasekara.

Pitch and conditions
The surface for the India v Sri Lanka match provided Perth's habitual bounce and pace but also appreciable spin, offering something to bowlers of all speeds and varieties. Expect something similar for this game.

Stats and trivia

• Sri Lanka have never beaten Australia in eight ODIs played between the teams in Perth, and have won only two of 16 matches overall at the WACA ground, the last in 1996
• Should he debut for Australia, Peter Forrest will be the first Queensland-based batting debutant chosen for the Australia ODI team since Jimmy Maher in 1998 - Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson and James Hopes have played as allrounders.

Match facts
Friday February 10, 2012 (day/night)
Start time 1220 local (0420 GMT, 09:50am SLT)