Sri Lanka still searching for first win

Friday, 17 February 2012 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

ESPNCricinfo.com: Sri Lanka might view their tie with India as a missed opportunity, but it at least put them on the board in the Commonwealth Bank Series. All the same, they need a win soon or risk leaving their run for the finals too late. And to have the best chance of success, they need runs out of their senior batsmen; none of Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga have scored a half-century so far in this tournament. The SCG might give them some hope, for they have won five of their past seven one-day internationals there, including three victories over Australia. In the past decade, it has been comfortably their best ground in Australia.

For the Australians, this match is something of a flashback: Ricky Ponting will captain the side for the first time since he quit the leadership after last year’s World Cup. Australia hope it will be a one-off, and that Michael Clarke’s hamstring injury will allow him to play the next game on Sunday. Whatever the case, Ponting’s appointment has caused some debate, with the nominal vice-captain David Warner not considered experienced enough to lead the side. Captaincy apart, Australia can regain their lead on the series table if they win this match, but a loss would make the second half of the tournament a much closer proposition.