Life after Ricky Ponting begins for Australia tonight but
Michael Clarke has done a world class job of steering the ship for more than a
year and he can lead the side to a comprehensive series win over Sri Lanka in
their second series of the Australian Summer. A 1-0 defeat to South Africa was
a gutting way to end what had been a compelling battle but those who actually
watched the tests would know that Australia dominated the first two tests
fully, with epic rearguarding efforts required by South Africa just to keep the
series level before the decider, which they went into without attack devoid of
Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenaus (with 14 wickets between them in the second
test), the principal pair who took them so close to victory in Adelaide.
That, along with the superior quality of South Africa’s bowling
attack, put them at a big disadvantage on that occasion against the world’s
best side, but Sri Lanka are a step below and should provide a lot less resistance.
Sri Lanka have only beaten Australia once in a Test match (in Kandy in 1999)
and barring Bangladesh, Sri Lanka have won only two away Tests in the past five
years and they were beaten roundly on home in a series just over a year ago.
While Australia have gotten better Sri Lanka have been on the decline, and
barring tricky conditions in Hobart – where Australia have a poor record –look
to have a mountainous task on their hands.
Advice
2 pts 3-0 Australia (5/2 Stan James)
1 pt 2-1 Australia (6/1 Stan James)
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