Preview: Sri Lanka v Australia

Since the World Cup final, it’s been one of the more anticipated test series in world cricket. The challengers: Sri Lanka, having emerged as one of the more powerful teams in the world via their competitive displays in test cricket and in the World Cup.

Now they face the supremos: Australia. The unstoppable juggernaut of cricket has not lost a test since the 2005 Ashes, when they went down 2-1 to England, and have not lost a home series since the West Indies won in 1992-93.

Strictly speaking, there has never been a better chance to beat Australia than now. They have lost their stalwart bowlers Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne. There is no Justin Langer to get them off to a flying start and no reassuring presence of Damian Martyn in the middle order.

Australia is still an immensely powerful side though. Whilst Langer may be gone, Hayden, who has been hungrily pursuing runs, is not. And he is joined by the equally run hungry NSW opener Phil Jaques, whose aggressive batting and penchant for big centuries will be put to good use.

Ricky Ponting is in excellent touch, but this series is a big test for him. Ponting has been accused of being weak against spin bowling and Sri Lanka has access to the best off-spinner in world cricket: Muttiah Muralitharan.

Their middle order has a new look but is still formidable. Mike Hussey has looked unstoppable in test cricket and he is joined by the improving Michael Clarke and Andrew Symonds, who has a big chance to score runs this summer and cement his position.

Gilchrist will have fond memories of his World Cup final century, but he has been on the wane for some time now. He is no longer consistently devastating as he used to be, and his brilliance has been reduced to flashes. His keeping is still of an excellent standard though. But this summer could be his swansong.

The bowlers are all shooting out for spots, and this is where it gets interesting. The only two guaranteed a spot are Brett Lee and the reliable Stuart Clark. Mitchell Johnson is leading for the third spot against Ben Hilfenhaus and Shaun Tait, whilst Stuart MacGill has the experience advantage over the better all-round cricketer Brad Hogg.

Sri Lanka have come with a team that mixes young enthusiasm with hard experience. In Mahela Jayawardene they have a top quality batsman and probably their best captain ever, combining tough play with all the sensibilities of a diplomat.

Their bowling attack is fearsome and has variety. In Chaminda Vaas they have a reliable left-arm swing bowler who gives nothing away. In Lasith Malinga, they have scorching pace and unpredictability. In Dilhara Fernando, they have sharp pace and seam. Finally, with Murali, they have a cunning master able to work out even the best batsmen.

Sri Lanka’s problems come with their batting. Jayawardene and Sangakarra are world class batsman able to face any attack. But after that the cupboard gets thin.
Jayasuria is 38, and probably past his prime. Despite being one of only two Sri Lankan batsmen in this side to have scored a test century against Australia, he is no longer as devastating as he used to be. Old stalwart Marvan Attapattu is back as well, but his average of 38.91 won’t really cause fear in Australia’s bowing.

The middle order after Jayawardene is a major problem. Silva, Samaraweera and Prasanna Jayawardene are relatively untried at test level, especially in tough conditions against the world’s most formidable attack. As most teams discover playing Australia, they can’t match the depth that makes Australia so formidable.

Australia should win this test series. Their record at home bodes well in their favour. By comparison, Sri Lanka has never won a test on Australian soil. And only Attapattu and Jayasuria have scored centuries here.

Despite having a good bowling attack, the two players who have extensive experience against Australia, Vaas and Murali, have poor records against Australia. Malinga made his test debut against Australia in their previous tour there, but wasn’t able to inflict the damage people know he is capable of.

In their most recent warm-up match against Queensland, they were humbled by Ashley Noffke on a bouncy and seaming pitch Queensland is famous for. What will happen when they face Lee, Clark, Johnson or Hilfenhaus on that sort of pitch? How would they play the tweakers of Hogg or MacGill?

Sri Lanka must go out and play the most aggressive cricket they can, only then can they hope to match it with the powerful Australian team.