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Elmo Rodrigopulle reporting from Australia.....

Sydney, Wednesday, Can Sri Lanka last the full quota of 50 overs or will they capitulate for well under 25 overs and succumb before the lights come on like they did in Adelaide against Australia 'A'?

This is the question that will be uppermost in everyone's mind when Sri Lanka take on the Australians in a Victoria Bitter one-day triangular series match under lights at the Sydney Cricket Ground tomorrow. What happened in Adelaide was a disgrace. It is hoped that the Lankans will get this debacle out of their system, think positive and give the Australians a game.

True losing does not mean shame. But when losing one must lose with honour and dignity. To succumb the way the Lankans did against Australia "A' is unacceptable. That no one has been called to answer for the humiliation is beyond understanding.

Going on form the Lankans stand no chance against the Aussies and another defeat is on the cards. After losing the real game in Adelaide, the Lankans also went on to lose the 25-over exhibition match that followed by 26 runs. The ACB to avoid embarrassment and please their patrons played an exhibition game.

Kumar Sangakkara slammed a breezy 72 in 56 balls and was the only redeeming feature. He blasted four huge sixes over mid-wicket to give the Sri Lankan supporters something to wave their flags and cheer.

This game will probably see the return of off spinner Muttiah Muralitheran to big time cricket.

He was recovering from a hernia operation that kept him out of the previous three games. He failed to play in any of the warm up games and whether he will be match fit will be interesting to watch.

A lot will depend on him to keep the free scoring Aussie batsmen in check in the 10 overs he bowls.The Aussies are keenly looking forward to face him ,bash him around and show that he is not the bowler of old.

Muralitheran will be looking to reach the 300 one-day wickets when he plays tomorrow. He needs three more wickets to reach this milestone. If he achieves this he would be completing the fine double of 400 Test and 300 one-day wickets. He has captured 297 one-day wickets at 23.28 apiece. Muralitheran will no doubt struggle a bit, because he lacks competitive cricket match fitness.

Sri Lanka will play their best side and bring in Marvan Atapattu and Chaminda Vaas. The inclusion of the three experienced men should add stability to the team and give it more strength.

The Lankan squad arrived in Sydney in the afternoon and preferred to relax, instead of having a net, trying to get their humiliating defeat out of their system.

The Lankans, if they are to perform, as we know they can, must more importantly believe in themselves. They must think positive, treat the opponents with little respect and believe that they are second to none. Then their game is bound to improve.

Skipper Sanath Jayasuriya must certainly be suffering enough mental agony. Runs in his armoury seem to have dried up and how to get back into the ruthless form that he is renowned for must be his greatest worry. He is too good a batsman to keep failing constantly.

He can be assured that all world-class batsmen have suffered run droughts and he is no exception.

Batsmen of the calibre of Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Aravinda de Silva, Hashan Tillekeratne and Russel Arnold must make it their business to be among the runs. Atapattu will have to keep his end up as he usually does and inspire the batsmen coming in proffering them with the necessary advice as to the strategy the bowlers are adopting, the pace of the wicket and how it is playing.

Jayawardena has surprisingly lost form after early promise. He has the correct technique and should come good. Tillekeratne if he plays must be told to be a bit more aggressive. True it is his job to keep an end closed. But more enterprise, while looking for runs will be welcome.

The bowling will depend a lot on seamer Chaminda Vaas. He has managed the vital early wickets, but not received support from the rest of the pacemen. Dilhara Fernando must make it his business to get among the wickets.

The fielding has shown signs of improvement. Catching is the most important aspect in this style of game. The fielders need not be told that catches win matches.

As for the Australians they will be at full strength with the return of Ace pacie Glen McGrath and the hard-hitting Darren Lehmann. The Aussies are smarting after their defeat by the Englishmen in the final Ashes Test and will be doubly determined to stuff the Lankans.

Ricky Ponting will be back to lead them and with a strong all-round side should have no difficulty in chalking up another win considering the poor form that their opponents are in.

The Lankans will be without Prabath Nissanka. He pulled a hamstring muscle and is likely to be flown back for rest and recovery in time for the World Cup beginning in South Africa early next month.

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