Sri Lanka play first warm-up game today

Elmo Rodrigopulle reporting from Australia

Melbourne, Tuesday, The Sri Lankan cricketers flew into Melbourne from New Zealand with smiles writ on their faces after their consolation victory over the Kiwis in their final one-day international.

The Lankans were robbed of a practice session at the Junction Oval here on Tuesday due to the practice wickets being wet. 'It was very unfortunate. A little bit of knock around would have good for the boys. But that's how it goes. All the players are fit and well with no injury problems, and all are available for selection.

According to the manager the three newcomers Nuwan Kulasekera, Chamara Kapugedera and Michael Vandort will be given a feel of Aussie conditions and will play in the first game. The Lankans will make their first appearance on Australian soil when they face the Victorian Bushrangers in a get a feel as to what it is going to be ahead as the tour unfolds at the Central Reserve at Glen Waverly tomorrow.

The Sri Lankans living in Victoria, happy now that the Lankans had won a game in Kiwiland are set to flood the ground and cheer the Lankans to continue and maintain their winning streak. All Lankans here are wishing that the cricketers would regain their lost form and take on the Australians and South Africans on equal terms in the Victoria Bitter series and leave their mark.

Michael Tissera, the Sri Lankan manager when asked said that the spirits of the cricketers had always been high, although it was just one of those things that they lost the first three games in Kiwiland. 'Had we got a few extra runs, the games that were lost could have been won.

The players are all confident and are hoping that the pieces would fall right here and that the team would show what they really are capable of", said Tissera. The opposition that the Lankans would face tomorrow are not going to be pushovers.

The Victorian Bushrangers as they are tagged have some fine performers in their ranks and the Lankans would be stretched to the full.

The Bushrangers are led by Cameron White who has sported Australian one-day colours. He is a fine allrounder. In Jason Arnberger, Simon Dart, Shane Harwood, David Hussey (brother of Aussie batsman Michael Hussey) and Gerard Denton who have performed wonderfully for them. The Bushrangers have excelled in all local competitions and are looking forward to prove their mettle against the Lankans.

The world's best leg spin, googly bowler Shane Warne too plays for the Bushrangers, but will be resting after his success against the South Africans. Warne has long given up playing one-day cricket.

The Lankans had decided on the team they were going to pit against their opponents. It is likely that they would give their reserves a go, preserving their best performers for the more important battles to follow.

The Lankan supporters will be there in their numbers proudly waving the Lion flag and wildly cheering the cricketers to perform at their best.

The Victorian Bushrangers XI: Cameron White (Captain), Adam Crosthwaite, Shane Harwood, Michael Klinger, Brendan Joseland, Andrew Mcdonald, Jonathan Moss, Alan Wise, Liam Buchanan, Grant Lindsay, Peter Siddle. Super-sub will be named prior to commencement of match.