Sri Lanka seek first series win in Australia

The Australians will be pleased to see the return of Ricky Ponting

Losses don’t come much more demoralising than the one-wicket defeat Australia suffered on Wednesday. To fail having had the opposition at 8 for 107 chasing 240 is a massive confidence-sapper. Australia have now lost six internationals in a row since July, and three weeks from the first ball of the Ashes that’s a worrying position to be in. More immediately, they must find a way to bounce back at the SCG, or Sri Lanka will win a series in Australia for the first time. The Australians will be back under the leadership of Ricky Ponting, who missed Wednesday’s game to attend his grandmother’s funeral, and after their lacklustre bowling effort to Angelo Mathews and Lasith Malinga, don’t be surprised if there are changes to the attack.

Sri Lanka, for all their joy at achieving one of the most remarkable comeback wins in ODI history, know that they too have much to work on before the second game. Kumar Sangakkara said after the Melbourne triumph that he was disappointed with their fielding, and the incredible efforts of Mathews and Malinga should not mask some top-order worries. The shot selection from several experienced batsmen was poor, none more so than the ugly cross-batted swipe from Chamara Silva, early in his innings, that resulted in him being caught at mid-on off a top edge. There could be a couple of changes to the Sri Lankan side, despite the win, as they aim for a historic series victory down under.