Farewells for Jayawardene and Hussey:

Lankan batsmen will have to face the ‘chin music’

Aussies out to make it a clean sweep :

Elmo Rodrigopulle - Reporting From Australia

All Sri Lankan batsmen will have to gear up to face another bombardment of short- pitched limb and life threatening bowling which the Australians call ‘chin music’, when the Final Test against Australia begins at the Sydney Cricket Ground, today.

The Australians who have already wrapped up the series are determined to make a clean sweep and have lined up their four fast men – the two Mitchells, Johnson and Starc, Jackson Bird and Peter Siddle to provide the ‘chin music’ and the Lankan batsmen will have to be doing a bit of ‘Gangnam Style’ dancing at the wicket. The Sri Lankan batsmen were clueless and were ducking and weaving, unable to counter the short-pitched thunderbolts from Mitchell Johnson, Jackson Bird and Peter Siddle that rose disconcertingly from good lengths to hit them in Melbourne. The Lankan batsmen will have no respite.

Finger injuries

The finger injuries to wicket keeper Prasanna Jayawardene and batsman Kumar Sangakkara tells the story of the vicious bowling unleashed that put them out of action with Sangakkara out of the series.

Jayawardene failed a final fitness test on the eve of the Test and has been ruled out and the glove work will now be done by Dinesh Chandimal who will bat at number six, with the one drop slot going to replacement batsman left hander Lahiru Thirimanne or Tharanga Paranavitane.

The Sydney wicket has been known to favour spin. But this time round Tom Parker the SCG curator has left grass on the wicket which prompted the Aussie selectors to leave out off spinner Glenn Maxwell and go in with an extra fast man.

Another setback

The Lankans who are hit by injuries suffered another setback when fast bowler Shamindra Eranga sprained his ankle playing football before the final net session. He limped off the field in pain and his playing in the Test will depend on him passing a fitness test on the morning of the match. If he is ruled out Suranga Lakmal or Suraj Randiv could come into the picture.

For skipper Mahela Jayawardene this will be his final Test as captain because he has decided to quit after this Test. He will want to go out in a blaze of glory by winning this Test and marking it with the first ever Test victory on Aussie soil. He has also not hit it rich with the bat and must be yearning to finish it off with a three figure score. He has lost his wicket many a time paying half forward and offering the slip cordon a catch. He must watch it.

Just a dream

But on form chances of winning is just a dream, considering that the players who could have helped him achieve victory are all out with injuries. Sangakkara’s absence will be greatly felt. With grass on the wicket which will help the Aussie pace machines, it would not be bad idea for Mahela Jayawardene if he wins the toss to ask the Australians to have first go and protect his batsmen. But here again he hasn’t the pace to demolish the strong Aussie batting line up if he fields first. Former captain Tillakeratne Dilshan will have to shoulder a big responsibility when he opens batting with the inexperienced Dimuth Karunaratne. He will have to tighten up his game and play for the team.

Experienced batsmen

The other experienced batsmen Thirimanne/Paranavitarne, Thilan Samaraweera and vice captain Angelo Mathews must make it their business to stay put at the wicket and help build a formidable first innings score. Sri Lanka has unfortunately not been able to post a big first innings score.

Their approach has been faulty, with batsmen lacking focus, the right technique and temperament and folding up easily. It is hoped that they will deliver this time round. Although the wicket is suited for pace, Sri Lanka’s leading bowler left arm spinner Rangana Herath will have to do a lot of wicket taking bowling. In addition to his tantalizing bowling his fielding has been exemplary.

Clarke fit to play

As for Australia, skipper Michael Clarke has been passed fit to play. He was in doubt with the hamstring strain still troubling him. He has scored heavily this summer with twin fifties and a century in the Melbourne Test and will be looking to add more to his run bank. Australia will also farewell their great left hand batsman Michael Hussey who has served their cricket with great responsibility since sporting the baggy green cap scoring consistently and fielding magnificently. Australian cricket will also miss his guiding influence on and off the field. Sydney Cricket Ground, Wednesday.