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Warne out of VB series

Lankans looking to shed losing habit

by Elmo Rodrigopulle in Australia

Melbourne, Thursday -

The Sri Lankan cricketers who have made losing a habit, would be looking to shed it and give the rampaging Australians tough competition and not suffer a bitter defeat when they meet in the first Victoria Bitter triangular series under lights here today.

The Telstra Dome will open its roof for the first time in this game. The two captains Ricky Ponting and Marvan Atapattu and match referee Jeff Crowe have agreed to the roof opening.

The Lankan selectors had a discussion and did not release the final eleven and manager Michael Tissera told this writer that the final eleven would be named after a look at the wicket.

Ponting the Aussie captain squashed rumours about Shane Warne playing, saying that he would not be considered for this series. The Lankans who were outclassed by the Victorian Bushrangers by 7 wickets in a practice game, had a strenuous workout at the nets in the Dome, and all players are available for selection.

They promise to put their string of defeats behind them and be worthy opponents in this tourney. But if the poor form that they have been carrying along is an indication, then they would be no opponents, but only just making up the numbers and going through the motions, making a comeback and playing in the present series. Warne has said he would like to play one-day cricket again. But at the moment he is in Melbourne spending time with his kids.

At the moment the Lankans don't seem to be focused or committed. Other than for skipper Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara and Tillekeratne Dilshan, the rest of the batsmen seem lost.

Batsmen such as openers Upul Tharanga, Jehan Mubarak, Mahela Jayawardena and Farveez Mahroof should make it their business to get into the run making act. Tharanga and Mubarak would be up against the blistering pace of Brett Lee and the clever movement of Glen McGrath and it would be interesting to see how they counter them. The wicket is expected to be bouncy and the pace-men are sure to revel on it.

The Lankans are expected to go in with the team that beat the New Zealanders in the final game at Napier. Ruchira Perera who broke the back of the early Kiwi batting promised to bowl his heart out. He is having a little problem with his hamstring and did not go flat out at the nets.

Chaminda Vaas who seems to be reveling and celebrating his elevation to vice-captaincy is sure to be among the wickets. He is doing the right thing bowling wicket to wicket which is essential in this style of game and is sure to trouble the Aussie batsmen.

Skipper Atapattu would be also looking to Muttiah Muralitharan to pitch his spinners on line and length and restrict the free scoring Aussie batsmen.

The Australians are riding a crest of a wave of success. They, a team nicely balanced in every aspect of the game and they have players who can deliver. They are awesome as they showed in the 20 x 20 game against the South Africans and unless the unforeseen happens should crown their amazing season by carrying away the Victoria Bitter Trophy.

Skipper Ponting, Katich, Hussey, Symonds, Martyn and Clarke if he plays should keep the scorers busy.

The bowling would be in the penetrative hands of Lee, McGrath, Bracken, Symonds and Hogg.

At a press conference after a practice session at the Dome in the morning, skipper Ponting said that the one-day series between South Africa and Sri Lanka is just another hit out on the road to the World Cup in the Caribbean next year. He further said that he has had discussions with chief selector Trevor Hohns and that everything as far as selections go from now on in the one-day side will be with an eye to the World Cup.

Schedule of matches in the triangular one-day series between Australia, South Africa and Sri Lanka.

Jan 13 - Australia v Sri Lanka, Melbourne

Jan 15 - Australia v South Africa, Brisbane

Jan 17 - South Africa v Sri Lanka, Brisbane

Jan 20 - Australia v South Africa, Melbourne

Jan 22 - Australia v Sri Lanka, Sydney

Jan 24 - South Africa v Sri Lanka, Adelaide

Jan 26 - Australia v Sri Lanka, Adelaide

Jan 29 - Australia v Sri Lanka, Perth

Jan 31 - South Africa v Sri Lanka, Perth

Feb 3 - Australia v South Africa, Melbourne

Feb 5 - Australia v South Africa, Sydney