Clarke faces first test against Lanka (Preview)

Australia are playing in the white fatigues after a long hiatus, the last time they played a test match ended in a bitter innings defeat at Sydney against England in January. Now, under a new captain- Michael Clarke, it is a team in transition with a host of fresh faces finding a place in the touring party. Their opponents, Sri Lanka are no different. After a change of guard, Tillakaratne Dilshan had a tough first series in England which ended in a loss. His team has an equal mix of young and old that it also gives the feel of an evolving team.

If we are to go by recent results, Sri Lanka have not shown the same dominance on home soil that was their characteristic feature few years ago. The main reason being the retirement of two key bowlers Muttiah Murlitharan and Lasith Malinga. Their current crop of bowlers, though talented, lacks the experience to keep top batting sides on the defensive for long.

The Sri Lankan batting is a formidable unit anywhere, particularly at home. Ex-captains, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara with the current skipper Dilshan would form the backbone of the batting line up. Tharanga Paranavitana is likely to open the innings with his captain, while as Angelo Mathews would fill the crucial number 7 spot as an all-rounder. His presence lends the team much needed balance and the hosts can pick an additional bowler, possibly a slow bowler if the pitch looks like a spinner’s delight.

Similarly, Australia would heavily bank on the experience of Clarke’s predecessor, Ricky Ponting who happens to be the only member of Aussie tour squad to have played a Test match on the island. His knowledge of the conditions would came handy for rookies like Usman Khawaja and Shaun Marsh, one of the two would make it to the number six slot in the batting order. It remains to be seen whether Ponting can justify his assertion that captaincy affected his batting. Now that Michael Clarke is at helm, the senior pro can concentrate on his batting and perform as the main batsmen in the team. Clarke is by far Australia’s best player of spin, his individual contribution would be vital as sub-continental pitches always assist slow bowlers. Michael Hussey is the other vital cog in this side.

As far as their bowling is concerned, the new comers face a tough test in alien surroundings. Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle and Mitchell Johnson are the fast bowling options, while as new-comers Michael Beer and Off-spinner Nathan Lyon are the spinners in the squad. Shane Watson’s presence in the team as a decent pace bowling alternative, one of the three fast bowlers may have to make way for a two-pronged spin attack. Nevertheless, it would be an opportunity for the duo to make a mark at the highest level.

During the limited overs leg of the tour, Australia managed to clinch the ODI series due to a disciplined effort in the field but bowling appears to be their weakness going into first of the three test series. Australia may have had a slight advantage to begin with, but their inexperienced bowling evens out things.Squads:

Sri Lanka: Tillakaratne Dilshan (C), Tharanga Paranavitana, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), Angelo Mathews, Suraj Randiv, Suranga Lakmal, Chanaka Welegedara, Dhammika Prasad, Shaminda Eranga, Lahiru Thirimanne, Seekkuge Prasanna, Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath.

Australia: Shane Watson, Phillip Hughes, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke (C), Michael Hussey, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Brad Haddin (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle, Trent Copeland, James Pattinson, Nathan Lyon, Michael Beer.