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ADELAIDE, Australia, Wednesday (Reuters) Sri Lanka, who suffered a humiliating 10-wicket loss to Australia A on Tuesday, are set to recall off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan for Thursday's game against Australia.

Muralitharan missed Sri Lanka's first three matches, all losses, in the triangular limited overs series after undergoing a hernia operation in November.

"We expect him (Muralitharan) to play." Sri Lanka coach Dav Whatmore told reporters in Adelaide.

Rated by Wisden last month as the best bowler in test cricket history, Muralitharan's presence will give a boost to the side, especially as the 30-year-old is the fourth-leading wicket-taker in one-day internationals with 297 victims.

Captain Sanath Jayasuriya's side has lost twice to England and once to Australia in the 2002-03 triangular series, which began with five matches last month and resumes on Thursday.

"We would expect a couple of changes at least based on that performance (against Australia A)," added Whatmore, who coached Sri Lanka to victory in the 1996 World Cup final.

The Sri Lankans are bottom of the triangular series standings with just one point from three matches, having been unable to handle Australia's bouncy pitches. They need a form reversal before the World Cup starts in South Africa next month.

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