http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 – 3rd Final CB series – Match Preview
A fitting finale to an exciting series beckons, with Australia and Sri Lanka all set to contest in the 3rd final of the Commonwealth Bank, played at the Adelaide Oval, March 8, 2012.
After the thrills of the first two encounters, the third bout has turned into a mouthwatering prospect, with both sides looking to cement their dominancy over the other.
On head to head basis, the Lankans have a clear advantage over the hosts after they won three of the four matches, proceeding to the finals. The Aussies conjured up a win at Brisbane but were resoundingly beaten by their opponents at Adelaide despite the best efforts of David Warner and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Clarke-c1978, who both scored centuries.
The home team has plenty of issues to address, foremost being the change in leadership. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 is also on hold, after he felt considerable soreness during the second final.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Peter-Forrest-c2176 will slot in as the skipper’s replacement. The middle-order batsman has been impressive in his debut series and will look to make the most of his outing.
The other major concern for the hosts is their bowling lineup. The pacers have all gone for a pounding with no one a certainty for the upcoming clash. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/CJ-McKay-c1265.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DA-Warner-c1301 has been outstanding with back to back tons, and will again remain their key weapon upfront. However, he too has a groin complaint, which is not fully healed - but with his side having trouble in finding the right balance, the left-hander is expected to play a pivotal part in a must win game.
The Lankans hold the ascendency after easily chasing down the 272 set by their opponents. The opening pairing of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DPMD-Jayawardene-c1397 rose to the task appreciably to share an imposing 179-run stand.
They will be looking for much the same from their senior players, which also include http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KC-Sangakkara-c1779, who too stamped his footing on the proceedings with a matured unbeaten knock of 51.
They also too will have to deal with a injury crisis of their own where all-rounders, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Adrian-Roger-Kirshaw-Pierson-c42135 from the bat of Clarke.
Also http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SL-Malinga-c2540 was troubled by a groin injury in the latter parts of his bowling spell but looks set to spearhead the attack. The tourist however, might be inclined to name the same eleven, following their thumping success.
The pitch at Adelaide suited the Lankan batters, who again took full use of the lacklustre bowling of the hosts. The track will get slower, so spinners will become difficult to get away. However, with both bowling lineups under the cosh, one expects the batters to again dominate - with another high-scoring encounter on the cards.
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