A demoralised Australian team will look to restore some lost pride in the 3rd and Final Test against Sri Lanka starting this weekend. Australia has already surrendered the Warne-Muralitharan series following the humiliating loss in the 2nd Test at Galle.
Steven Smith who had not lost a Test match as a captain before this Test series will be eager to finish the trip with a consolation win that might prevent England or India to reach the summit in the ICC Test rankings.
Earlier this week Mitchell Marsh had expressed his disappointment at the prospect of Australia surrendering their numero uno status. "It means a hell of a lot. It’s what we strive for," Marsh said ahead of the final Test in Colombo.
"It would be very disappointing if we lost that - we haven’t had it for that long, we were really hoping to try and stretch the gap."
Also read:Sanath Jayasuriya urges Sri Lanka to inflict a whitewash and create history
Australia had only lost one Test match to Sri Lanka prior to this series and no one gave any chance to Sri Lanka keeping in mind their inexperienced lineup and their recent results. If Sri Lanka manages to win the last test at Colombo, it will be their first ever whitewash on any top test playing nation since gaining their test status in the year 1981.
Australian coach Darren Lehmann had lashed out at his boys for the lacklustre performance in the series so far and hinted wholesale changes for the 3rd Test. Shaun Marsh who is the only batsman in the current Australian team to score a century in Sri Lanka is expected to return for the 3rd Test.
"Well anywhere from one to six (in the batting order), everyone in the squad will be considered," Lehmann said. "
Also read:Australia in danger of losing number one Test ranking as battle for the top heats up
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will be eager to grab this golden opportunity with both hands and create history in Colombo. After their dismal performances in the tour to England, it was a dramatic turnaround by Angelo Mathews and his boys.
The three spinners in the Sri Lankan lineup Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera and Lakshan Sandakan have been unplayable at times and picked up 35 wickets together in the series so far.
"We have got good quality spinners. They know exactly how to bowl on these kinds of wickets," said skipper Angelo Mathews who says the team is determined there will be no easing up when the Test begins on Saturday.
"We want to win three-nil. We want to go for it in Colombo as well. We will try our best to do that," Mathews told reporters.
Sri Lanka has called in Suranga Lakmal to replace injured Nuwan Pradeep but it is highly unlikely that Mathews will change his winning combination.
Probable XI:
Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (capt), Kaushal Silva, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Perera, Dilruwan Perera, Rangana Herath, Lakshan Sandakan, Vishwa Fernando
Australia: Steve Smith (capt), David Warner, Joe Burns, Josh Hazlewood, Shaun Marsh, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill, Jon Holland, Mitchell Starc, Adam Voges
Where to watch live: The match starts at 10 am (IST) on 13 August, Saturday. Live TV coverage will be available on Ten Sports network and for live streaming click on Sri Lanka vs Australia 3rd Test
Match prediction: Sri Lanka to win
After gaining an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, Sri Lanka are the clear favourites for the 3rd Test. The Australian batsmen have found it really difficult to tackle their spinners and 35 wickets have fallen to the Sri Lankan spinners so far. The inclusion of Shaun Marsh might provide stability in the middle order but it will be hard for the Australians to stop a resilient Sri Lankan team from claiming their first ever series whitewash against a top Test playing nation.
History (head to head in Tests): Played: 28, Australia: 17, Sri Lanka: 3, Draw: 8
In Sri Lanka - Played: 15, Australia: 6, Sri Lanka: 3 Draw: 6
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