After a huge hype by Darrell Hair over Murali’s bowling action, teams of Sri Lanka and Australia are finally in the middle to speak language of cricket in one of the most anticipated matches of the ICC Cricket World Cup at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Shaun Tait. Courtesy: Getty Images
Sri Lankan skipper, Kumar Sangakkara, won the toss and elected to bat first. Sri Lanka are relying heavily on their spinners as they have included three spinners, i.e. Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, and Rangana Herath, in the final eleven leaving out Nuwan Kulasekara. Australia are fielding an unchanged side.
As far as the pitch is concerned, it is quite a dry surface and will broadly help the spinners in both innings.
Australia v Sri Lanka: Group A - 2011 ICC World Cup
The inclusion of the three spinners means Angelo Mathews will opening the bowling with lethal Lasith Malinga. Sangakkara also has the option of attacking Aussies with spin bowling early in the innings.
Sangakkara said after winning the toss, “We are playing three spinners. We have left out Kulasekara. No reflection on his record over the years. He is a champion but it is just for this game. We will have to go out and build a good total.”
Well aware of the batting capabilities of his opponents, Australian captain Ricky Ponting said, “We will have to do a good job with the new ball. We are going with the same side. Hopefully there will be some reverse swing as the game goes on. Looks fairly dry this surface.”
Sri Lanka team includes Upul Tharanga, Tillikaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara (C), Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, Angelo Mathews, Rangana Herath, Lasith Malinga, Muttiah Muralitharan, and Ajantha Mendis
Australia squad consists of Shane Watson, Brad Haddin (WK), Ricky Ponting (C), Michael Clarke, David Hussey, Cameron White, Steve Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Jason Krejza, Brett Lee, and Shaun Tait.
