Third ODI at Hambantota today:
Lankans looking to save series
Chinthana WASALA
Sri Lanka are desperately in need of a victory to keep the series
alive while the touring Aussies need a solitary win to grab a series
victory, when the two teams clash at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International
Stadium in Suriyawewa this evening.
Sri Lanka have lost the first two of the five match series while the
Dominant Australians only need one win to seal the series.
Lankan skipper Thillakaratne Dilshan would worry about his team’s
batting line up which failed to make an impact in the first two games.
Interestingly, Sri Lanka have lost 20 wickets in contrast to
Australia’s five, showing the lack of confidence that Dilshan’s men have
in facing the attack from Down Under.
Sri Lanka batted first on both occasions. Sri Lanka scored 191 in the
first match which they lost by seven wickets and 208 in the second ODI,
lost by eight wickets.
The Aussies chased both targets in the 39th over in both matches,
showing that they were too strong for a team with less batting power.
Bowling is not much of a problem for the Lankans. When there is a low
total to defend, the bowlers become helpless.
For Michael Clarke’s men, the ODI series is going smoothly. Although
the ICC Cricket rankings tell a different story, Australia are have won
23 matches out of 29 ODIs under the captaincy of Clarke.
Ex Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting seems to be enjoying the new role as
he is back to his form with typical Ponting-style batting.
Shane Watson and captain Clarke are also in tremendous form, backed
by a fearless bowling attack comprising Doug Bollinger, Mitchell Johnson
and Brett Lee.
It is time for Sri Lanka to turn the tables upside down if they are
to have any hopes of a competitive series.
Three more matches to go and Dilshan’s tactics will have to work with
a more positive approach to take down the former world champions. |