Expected to be a big draw in one-dayers:

Lasith Malinga sends Samuels to hospital

Newcomers join Lankan squad:

Elmo Rodrigopulle - Reporting From Australia

The Sri Lankan cricketers who were given more than an extra day to lick their wounds after the final Test at the SCG finished with a little more than a day to spare, will have more time to rethink their game plans and ready, to at least do better in the Commonwealth Bank one-day series against Australia.

The first of five ‘cowboy‘ games begin on January 11 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It must be recalled that the Second Test at MCG ended with more than two and half days to spare.

Doing a rethink

Tests cricket is what the game of cricket is all about. When games finish well inside the distance, it is a disgrace to the losing team, with the hosts doing a rethink and having second thoughts of extending an invitation again amongst other things.

With some of the Sri Lankan cricketers jetting back home now that the Test series are over, those suited for the ‘cowboy’ game will join the remaining squad. Slinger Lasith Malinga, Thisara Perera and Jeevan Mendis are here playing in the Big Bash League.

Joining the squad will be Upul Tharanga, Ajantha Mendis, Akila Dhananjaya and Janith Perera who arrived last night. The Lankans when they played here early last year in the tri-series which also featured India, entered the best of three finals and lost 2-1 to Australia.

Formidable

Sri Lanka have always been formidable in the one-day and Twenty20 bashes, and now that they were whitewashed in the Test series must endeavour to redeem themselves by dumping the Aussies and gaining revenge, although this is a different ball game.

The draw card will be Lasith Malinga. He is knocking over batsmen with ease in Big Bash League and has become the darling of the crowds here with devastating bowling and tinted hair.

In the Twenty20 World Cup final at the Premadasa Stadium last September, West Indian Marlon Samuels took him to the cleaners hitting him for fours and sixes where he conceded 55 runs in 4 overs.

Easy winners

In fact when Sri Lanka at one stage looked easy winners having restricted the Windies to a little in 10 overs, the Samuel blast where he carted Malinga all over the ground took the game away and the loss was blamed on Malinga.

But in the Big Bash League game Malinga had his revenge of sorts.

Playing for the Melbourne Stars, Malinga bounced at Samuels who top-edged a hook shot into his eye and immediately left the field bleeding. But Malinga showed the sport in him by rushing to the assistance of Samuels for what appeared a serious eye as he retired hurt on 17. Samuels was playing for the Renegades.

Elusive Test win

After the Test loss in four days outgoing slipper Mahela Jayewardene said he was disappointed with the 3-0 defeat and would have liked to have at least won that elusive Test in Australia. He signed off with memorable twin half centuries. He praised the youngsters – Lahiru Thirimanne, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal and Shamindra Eranga for showing good potential and said that they are the future of Sri Lanka cricket.

Sydney, Monday.