Sri Lanka are on the verge of writing a golden page in their cricketing history as they aim for a rare 3-0 series whitewash against the current world No.1 Test team, Australia, when the third and final match starts tomorrow at the SSC grounds.
The islanders have played 50 Test series so far but have only recorded 3-0 wins over Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and West Indies while Australia have been whitewashed only four times in series with three or more matches in their 140-year Test history.
The thrashings in Pallekelle and Galle have created major doubts in the Australian domestic scene and their poor run in the sub-continent continues to haunt them.
After a few forgettable months for Sri Lanka in 2016, where they registered only one win against a Test-playing nation in all formats, they now stand as firm favourites to dethrone the Kangaroos from the number 1 ranking.
Sri Lanka`s trio of spinners, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera and Lakshan Sandakan have taken 35 wickets between them but most of those dismissals have come from non-spinning deliveries as the Australians have failed to read the lengths and speeds at which this trio have gone about their business.
Only one half-century has been scored by the Australians so far but they did show some resolve in using their feet and sweeping the Lankan spinners in the latter part of the two and half day second Test; approaches that have worked for the Lankans against the Australian spinners.
Sri Lanka
Even though the home team won the first two Tests by comprehensive margins, the openers, Dimuth Karunarathne and Kaushal Silva have combined to score only 30 runs in 4 innings so far but the SSC pair will be getting another chance in their own backyard. Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews confirmed that there will only be one change to their team as Suranga Lakmal, who has been deemed fit, will slot into the team in place of Vishwa Fernando.
“The Selectors and management think that we should give that extra opportunity to the players whom we think will deliver. Kaushal (Silva) fought really hard and showed his character in England, after two games we don’t want to throw a character like that away. With regards to Dimuth (Karunarathne), he’s shown his character in New Zealand with that big century, hopefully he can deliver in this game.” Mathews said about his out-of-form opening duo.
Final XI – Dimuth Karunarathne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Janith Perera, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya De Silva, Dilruwan Perera, Rangana Herath, Lakshan Sandakan, Suranga Lakmal
Australia
Shaun Marsh, who averages 37 with the bat and has a relatively good recocrd in the sub-continent, will most probably come into the struggling Australian lineup in place of Usman Khawaja. During the pre-match press conference, Steve Smith did not reveal the playing XI as Adam Voges is still struggling with a hamstring strain but he is expected to be fit in time for the game.
Skipper Smith said, ‘It’s been a disappointing series from our aspect so far, this is another opportunity for us to play in the sub-continent and looks like it’s another tough wicket. For us the series is gone but still plenty to play for.
Probable XI – David Warner, Joe Burns, Shaun Marsh, Steve Smith, Adam Voges, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazelwood, Jon Holland.
Pitch and Weather Conditions
According to Angelo Mathews, ‘traditionally it (SSC) has been a batting track but it looks pretty dry and will take turn from day one’. He pointed out that it, unsurprisingly, will be a ‘Spinners Paradise’. There were clouds hovering above the ground throughout Friday but the forecasts suggest no rain during the course of the game.
After the SSC surface was re-laid in 2014, there have been two results in the three matches that have been played there, with one game ending in a rain-interrupted draw.
Final Say
It will be interesting to see how the Australians attempt to come back and save themselves from a series whitewash but the Sri Lankans will certainly go in to this game to cap-off the popular slogan on social media, “Breakfast in Kandy, Lunch in Galle and Dinner in Colombo.
