http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746- 4th ODI – Match Preview
Sri Lanka and Australia are set to lock horns in the 4th match of the One Day series, which will be played at Colombo (RPS) stadium, on August 20, 2011.
After defeat in the first two matches, the Lankan http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SL-Malinga-c2540.
For the visitors, it has certainly been an intense couple of days as the Argus recommendation has surfaced, overshadowing their preparation for a crucial encounter.
With the imminent removal of Chairman of Selectors, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Andrew-Mark-Jefferson-Hilditch-c44498, and Talent Manager, Greg Chapell, the news has been greeted as a breath of fresh Air for Cricket Australia.
However, with an overhauling of the current structure, the Kangaroos cannot take their eyes of the immediate task ahead, which sees them battle a rejuvenated Sri Lankan line-up, which will look to level the series, come the end of the 4th One-Dayer.
Aussie skipper, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Clarke-c1978 confessed that his batters weren’t up to the mark as their opponents out played them in all departments. However, the pressure will be on the skipper to march his troops and try to wrap up the series.
It will be tough, considering the fact that their opponents have peaked at the right moment. Captain, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/WU-Tharanga-c2802 also played a superb knock of 111.
Australian bowlers were unlucky to say the least, as initially, both batters played and missed quite a lot of deliveries, though their perseverance paid off, as they notched up 139 for the first-wicket stand.
That set the tone for the match, which led to the hosts piling up a big total. After that, it was the slinger, who destroyed the batting line-up with some fiery bowling. His display took the limelight away from Tharanga‘s impressive century and Doug Bollinger's
4-wicket haul.
As for the team news, the hosts have already announced that batsman, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/HMRKB-Herath-c1559 have been left out from the squad for the last two matches.
It has been surprising that spinners haven’t made the sort of impact which was expected of them. The team management has called 26-year-old http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013.
The spinner is in line to get his debut, after grabbing an extraordinary six-for in the 2nd match against England Lions on the 14th of this month. Also it is expected that http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AD-Mathews-c913 will be back after missing the last match.
For the Aussies, they might be tempted to play http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Smith-c90598, as the latter is not doing any justice to his role as an all-rounder in the team. He has only bowled 5 overs so far, while making 18 in the last match.
Apart from Smith, wicket-keeper, Brad Haddin’s form is a worry, as he has had a torrid time facing the Lankan bowlers, but with no other deputy, he is likely to carry on as opener.
As for the conditions in Colombo, it will be partly cloudy, with humidity on the higher side. Moreover, the pitch is again expected to be slow, and with the hosts calling Prasanna, it is sure to offer some turn.
However, so far it has been the fast bowlers who have made all the headlines, so one cannot underestimate the pace attack at the disposal of each side.
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