Sri Lankans have Aussies in a spin

Ajantha Mendis decimated the Australian batsmen during their Twenty20 series in Harare [GALLO/GETTY]

Australia captain Michael Clarke says his team must come to terms with Sri Lanka’s spinners if they are to turn around their Twenty20 defeats by the host nation and win the upcoming one-day series.

Sri Lanka spinner Ajantha Mendis became the first bowler to take six wickets in the shortest form of the game by taking 6-16 in the hosts’ eight-run win in the second Twenty20 match on Monday, winning the series 2-0.

Clarke, who captains Australia’s Test and one-day teams, joined the squad for training at Pallekele on Tuesday ahead of a five-match series of one-day games that starts Wednesday.

“We will get a lot of spin to face. If we are to win the series we have to play spin well,” Clarke told reporters.

“If we play our best cricket there is no reason why we can’t win the series.”

Senior batsmen Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey join Clarke in returning to the side for the one-dayers, adding much experience to Australia’s batting order.

Clarke said that his team will be wary of Mendis who he described as a “good bowler in all forms of the game.”

“I don’t intend to do much changes for the ODIs,” Mendis said after Monday’s match.

“If I bowl well I know I can take wickets.”

Besides Mendis the hosts have four other spinners – Rangana Herath, Suraj Randiv, Jeevan Mendis and captain Tillakaratne Dilshan – to call upon to press home their advantage on turning pitches.

The Australia skipper said he saw no threat in the pitch for Wednesday’s game and said batsmen who get a start should be well placed.

Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga, who missed the Twenty20 series through injury, could return for the one-dayers, while opening batsmen Upul Tharanga is also likely to play after serving a suspension for using a banned substance during this year’s World Cup.

Sri Lanka captain Dilshan said he and Tharanga will open the batting while Mahela Jayawardene, who was his opening partner in the Twenty20 matches will drop, down to No. 4.

Chamara Kapugedera and Chamara Silva also return to the squad to strengthen the middle-order.

Squads:

Sri Lanka: Tillakaratne Dilshan (captain), Upul Tharanga, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Chamara Silva, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Suraj Randiv, Nuwan Kulasekera, Lasith Malinga, Rangana Herath, Ajantha Mendis, Suranga Lakmal, Shaminda Eranga.

Australia: Michael Clarke (captain), Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Shaun Marsh, Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, David Hussey, Xavier Doherty, Steven Smith, John Hastings, Doug Bollinger, James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson,
Brett Lee.