Match Preview - Australia vs Sri Lanka, 3rd CB Series Final

After a particularly slow start that saw them without a win until their fourth game, Mahela Jayawardene’s men have raised their game several notches higher and have been the most impressive team on display in the current CB Series. After the resounding eight wicket victory that saw them draw level with Australia in the best of three finals, Sri Lanka should back themselves to win the decider when they face the hosts in the third final on a sluggish surface in Adelaide.

The Aussies, on the other hand, are always a formidable force and even though they are cornered, don’t be surprised if they come out all guns blazing tomorrow. The third and last final has all the ingredients of being a top draw battle with the only deterrent being the injuries that will keep ou some of the key players from both sides.

Australia will be without their regular skipper Michael Clarke, who has been ruled out of the third final and also the ODIs against the West Indies due a hamstring pull. In his absence, vice captain Shane Watson is set to take over and though George Bailey has been summoned as the coverup, Peter Forrest is likely to take Clarke’s position in the batting order. Fast bowler James Pattinson is also doubtful for the tie and given the slow nature of Adelaide pitch, in his absence Australia might consider playing Nathan Lyon, who has been drafted into the squad.

Having beaten the home side four times in the current tournament, the World Cup finalists will go into the match as favorites. The batting, led by the big three Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakarra and Tillakaratne Dilshan has been superb with the youngsters also joining in the feast. The tourists also have their share of injury worries with clouds over all rounder Angelo Mathews’ participation but Jayawardene has been successful of making optimum use of the available resources, case in point being the rather economical 10 overs he got out of Dilshan in the second final.

Match Details:

Ground: The Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Timings: 0850 hrs IST

Channels Telecasting: Star Cricket, Star Cricket HD, ESPN

Previous Meeting:

Australia vs Sri Lanka at Adelaide

Aus 271/6 ( 50) | SL 274/2 (44.2 ) | Sri Lanka won by 8 runs\

Probable Playing XI

Australia

1 Matthew Wade (wk), 2 David Warner, 3 Shane Watson (c), 4 Peter Forrest 5 Michael Hussey, 6 David Hussey, 7 Daniel Christian, 8 Nathan Lyon, 9 Xavier Doherty ,10 Clint Mckay, 11 Brett Lee

Sri Lanka

1 Mahela Jayawardene (c), 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Dinesh Chandimal, 5 Lahiru Thirimanne, 6 Angelo Mathews/Chamara Kapugedara, 7 Fervez Maharoof 8 Nuwan Kulasekara,9 Sachitra Senanayake 10 Lasith Malinga, 11 Rangana Herath

Players to Watch out for:

David Warner: With back to back hundreds, he is the in form batsman for the hosts.

Mahela Jayawardene: The elegant right hander has a knack of scoring handsomely in big games and the kind of form he is in, expect a big one from him in the decider.