http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 – 3rd One Day International - Match Preview
The third One-Day International between Sri Lanka and Australia will take place today, August 16, 2011, at the Hambantota Stadium.
With 2 wins out of 2, Michael http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120’s era as the new skipper of the Australian team has started with a bang. It looks as though the player is enjoying the added responsibility on his shoulder, while a new wave of optimism has surrounded the current Kangaroos
team.
Also, the most important element is the form of Clarke's predecessor, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RT-Ponting-c2377. The “Punter” has scored commanding half centuries in both games, guiding his side to easy victories. He for one is also benefiting from the new batsman-only role, and yesterday
himself admitted that relinquishing the leadership has allowed him to focus more on his batting.
Therefore one will be banking on the former Aussie captain to continue his run in form and try to wrap up the series, come the end of the 3rd ODI.
As for the hosts, it is astonishing to see how easily they have been beaten in the first two matches. Having outplayed their opponents in T20s, it was expected that Dilshan and his men would carry on in much the same way.
However, it has not been the case and it seems that the Lankan http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Lions-c808 will have to raise the bar and come out all guns blazing or otherwise will have themselves to blame for the series defeat.
The word which can be used for the team will be complacency. Though, a little harsh, one must say the team had become complacent after their spinners baffled the Aussie batting line-up in the shorter format of the game.
Coming in the limited overs international, they have started well but in order to make too many runs, too quickly, have faltered badly. They will have to rectify this and start playing to the mark, where everyone is accustomed to see them perform at.
The two players who will have to take responsibility include the captain, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/TM-Dilshan-c2691 and veteran, Mahela Jayawerdene. The dismissals of both the players have virtually summed up the pattern of the hosts' losing streak in the first two ODI’s.
While the skipper is hurriedly trying to score a boundary from every ball he faces, Jayawerdene for one, has been too casual in his shot selection. However, there is still all to play for and both will look to rectify their mistakes.
Now coming to the respective bowling departments, one must be a little surprised the way the Aussie pacers have found the right line and length to bowl on slow Lankan pitches. They certainly have played to their strengths, and did not try to complicate things.
As for the hosts, a lot was expected from their spin bowlers but none has yet been able to counter http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SR-Watson-c2558, nor has anyone been able to apply the necessary pressure on the likes of Ponting and Clarke. However, they haven’t been supported by their batters
in a way, which would have allowed the spinners to be a little more aggressive.
The visitors are expected to name an unchanged team, which has performed ably so far in the series; however, Sri Lanka might play a few changes.
As for the pitch, it will again be on the slower side, while also assisting batters. As for the conditions, they will be overcast and breeze is expected.
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