Australia vs Sri Lanka - First Test - Match Preview
Australia and Sri Lanka are going to be up against each other tomorrow in the first Test of the three-match series at the Bellerive Oval, Hobart, with both the sides looking to prove a point in international cricket.
The Kangaroos are presently going through a rebuilding phase ahead of the Ashes 2013. Michael http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 at home. The hosts will be keen to make an impression against Sri Lanka in their bid to salvage some pride, with a number of important competitions coming up next year.
Their former skipper, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RT-Ponting-c2377 has recently announced his retirement from international cricket, leaving behind a huge space to fill in the Aussie batting order. The legendary batsman, who is considered to be one of the modern-day greats, has been replaced in the playing eleven by Phil Hughes, the left-handed batsman, who will be under immense pressure to perform well in the series.
Australia are going to start the series as clear favourites as Sri Lanka has never beaten the Kangaroos at their own backyard. However, Clarke has refused to be complacent against the tourists and wants his side to be at the top of their game.
The home team’s skipper has also urged his batsmen to raise their game and not to repeat the mistakes of their last Test, which cost them the series against the Proteas.
“None of us will be taking Sri Lanka's bowlers for granted even though they may be largely unknown in Australia. It was our batting which let us down during the last Test in Perth,” Clarke expressed.
On the other side of the coin, all eyes will be on the Sri Lankan team, who have struggled to consistently deliver the goods in Test cricket since the retirement of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SL-Malinga-c2540 (who no longer plays the longer format of the game).
The visitors’ main strength lies in their three experienced batsmen, Jayawardene, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KC-Sangakkara-c1779 and Tillakaratne Dilshan. The Lankan skipper admits that the trio will have to perform well if the tourists are to have any chance of competing against the Baggy Greens.
While talking about the pitch for the first Test, the seasoned middle-order batsman expressed that he is not sure how the track will behave.
“We'll bank on our experience with our batting to win a Test match. The important thing is to put runs on the board and give our bowlers a chance to get 20 wickets,” said the Sri Lankan skipper. “If we achieve that, I think we have a pretty good chance. Looking at the wicket, both teams will have a challenge on their hands because we don't know how the wicket is going to play.”
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/BW-Hilfenhaus-c1204, 11 Nathan Lyon.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/UWMBCA-Welegedara-c2735.
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