Sri Lankans focus on Australian frailties

PERTH (Australia)—Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene vowed here Thursday to target Australian frailties as the tourists bid for top spot in the tri-series table. A win for Sri Lanka on Friday would see them top of the standings, relegating the world champions to bottom place.
His own side’s confidence boosted by a much-needed win over India in Canberra on Tuesday, Jayawardene said the Australians were not as daunting as they had been over the past 10 years. “It is a good opportunity for us to go top of the table,” he said.
“We’ve got back into the tournament and the guys can really build up on that confidence. “They (Australia) are a bit under pressure. The batting, there are two or three guys who have been consistently performing, but the rest haven’t been.
“In the past the Aussies have found ways to get back into games, but the last six months I don’t think they’ve got that belief in themselves,” he added. “If we can push them back from the beginning, we can create more pressure.”
Jayawardene said the Sri Lankans would try to continue Ricky Ponting’s form slump, with the Australian captain yet to reach double figures in the tournament.
“He’s had a quiet time and hopefully we can keep him under the same pressure he has been under for the last two months,” he said. “It is in our interest to keep him like that.”
The Sri Lankans are hopeful seamer Ishara Amerasinghe will be fit to return from a hamstring strain, with a final decision to be made on the morning of the match. Ponting said his side would make two changes for the match.
All-rounder James Hopes returns after missing Sunday’s loss to India with hamstring tightness and spinner Brad Hogg has been recalled, at the expense of Brad Haddin and unlucky quick Stuart Clark.
Ponting said the Australians were determined to win the series to give a good send-off to retiring wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist, who plays his last game on his home ground on Friday.—Agencies