Mahela ready for AUSSIE BACKLASH

Says he might make a call on his career after the series:

Elmo Rodrigopulle reporting from Australia

The Sri Lankan cricketers who arrived in Australia after being bashed by the New Zealanders in the final Test at the P.Sara, are bracing for a backlash from Australia when the three Test series begins with the first one in Hobart on December 14.

This is because the Australians were whipped by the South Africans in the final Test in Perth by the big margin of 309 runs. That big defeat would certainly have hurt Aussie pride and they are out to make amends by white washing the Sri Lankans.

Skipper Mahela Jayawardene has likened Michael Clarke's men to 'wounded solders' and has warned his warriors to be on the ready to not the Aussies come out firing and be sitting ducks.

The Sri Lankans too must be hurting inside after being rolled over by the Kiwis.

It was simply bad batting and poor technique against the seam and swing of Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Doug Bracewell that felled the Sri Lankans. Had the Lankans won that series, it would certainly have given them the necessary confidence and motivation to take on Australia on even terms.

Now the Lankans must raise their game to have a crack at the Aussies.

'I see them as wounded soldiers - they could come back stronger against us. We have to do a lot of work because Australia will come hard at us, especially after the Test because of what happened to them.

'We need to brace for that and make sure we handle those tough situations. Even without Ricky Ponting the Australians remain a formidable opponent', said Sri Lankan skipper, who said he might make a call on his career after the Australian tour. Canberra, Thursday.