Australia v http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 - Sri Lanka tour of Australia - 1st Test - Toss Report
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 have won the toss and opted to bat first against tourists Sri Lanka in the first Test of the series about to begin at Bellerive Oval, Hobart.
While Sri Lanka had a positive Test series against Australia’s neighbours, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 last month, this will be a different tournament for them, taking on the Aussies in their own backyard would surely require a bit extra.
On the other hand, the Aussies are coming into the series with a big loss against the South Africans (their toughest competitors in the sport). The departure of veteran http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RT-Ponting-c2377 will also be on the minds of the hosts, who for the first time in more than two decades would be playing Test cricket without Ponting.
It is a new beginning for the Australians without the veteran middle-order batsman, and they would like to start on a winning note.
Meanwhile, this ground holds some pleasant memories for Kumar Sangakkara, who racked up an impressive 192-run knock and would surely be looking to repeat such a performance this time as well.
Pitch Report:
The Hobart wicket is ideal for batting and if the batsmen get their eye in, they are going to cause a lot of problems for the bowlers, however, the extra bounce is always going to give the bowlers a little edge over the batsmen, which both sides would be looking to exploit in the five-day game.
Captain’s comments:
Australia
Michael Clarke: “The wicket looks pretty good, I think there might be a little bit in it in the first hour or first session but generally as per usual Hobart looks outstanding. I'm confident this wicket is a bit different to what the boys have played on in first-class cricket this summer.”
Sri Lanka
Mahela Jayawardene: “The pitch looks much better than a couple of days ago. We have got a new opening batsman [Karunaratne] who we feel is very exciting.”
Teams:
Australia (Playing XI): http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Nathan-Michael-Lyon-c78822
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): http://www.senore.com/Cricket/UWMBCA-Welegedara-c2735
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