Sri Lanka tough task for Aussies: Bayliss

Wednesday, 3 August 2011 00:42 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Former Sri Lanka coach Trevor Bayliss expects his former charges to provide stiff opposition to Australia in their upcoming tour.

Australia begins its two Twenty20, five one-day international and three-Test stint in Sri Lanka with a T20 in Kandy on Saturday night and Bayliss feels the tourists will have to do well to enjoy success.

“Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka - they’ve got a very, very good record,” Bayliss told Cricinfo on Tuesday.

“Yes, they’ve got some younger players coming into the team, but those are very good players and, if you add home-ground advantage, it is going to be a tough tour.”

Bayliss’ time with Sri Lanka ended after this year’s World Cup final, giving him a unique insight into the nation’s current crop of cricketers.

And while he acknowledged a batting line-up boasting talents such as Kumar Sangakkara, captain Tillakaratne Dilshan and Mahela Jayawardene was the obvious strength of the team, their bowling wasn’t to be passed off as lacking penetration.

“Lasith Malinga’s retired from Test cricket, Murali’s now retired ... theirs will be an inexperienced bowling attack but it certainly won’t lack for skill,” Bayliss said.

“From a spin point of view, Rangana Herath has done extremely well in Test cricket and, especially in Sri Lanka, he’s gone through a few teams over there that were supposedly good players of spin. Pakistan, he destroyed a couple of years ago.

“Suraj Randiv is the other spinner. Against India last year on a flat wicket at the SSC in Colombo, he bowled something like 73 overs on debut, a record for a debut. He’s a big turner of the ball and has got one that goes straight on, and he’s an enthusiastic cricketer.

“You add Ajantha Mendis to that group of spinners and they could be a headache for Australia.”

But Bayliss believes Australia’s own spin bowlers will be well served by new captain Michael Clarke - whom Bayliss backed to shine after some indifferent batting form in the past 12 months.

“One of the things I think he will do well over there, with wickets favouring spin bowling ... tactically I think he’ll handle Australia’s spinners very well,” Bayliss said.

“He’s (also) probably the best Australian player of spin. He uses his feet, he’s quick on his feet and, as long as he sticks to that way of playing, he can be successful in Sri Lanka.

“I’m sure as the Aussie captain, he’ll be out to do as well as he possibly can, not only for the performance of the team but to show people he’s still got what it takes, and he is going to lead this team not only from the captaincy point of view but from his batting as well.

“I’m sure that’s the type of thing that will motivate him, and I’ve no reason to think he won’t do well in Sri Lanka.”

Australia departs for Kandy on Wednesday where both T20 matches and the first one-dayer will be held. (APP)