The last league match of the CB series, for all practical purposes, is a dead rubber. While the Indians are enjoying their little break before the finals, the Aussies will look to get some good momentum going from this match. Their batters finally found some much needed form in the Sydney encounter and hope that they can build on it before the all important finals. Sri Lanka on the other hand, will aim for a consolatory win.
Australia's Adam Gilchrist vowed his side will fight hard in Friday's tri-series match against Sri Lanka, despite already booking a place in the finals of the competition. Australians will be aiming for an eighth successive one-day win over the Sri Lankans and Gilchrist said here Thursday they were determined to build momentum for the upcoming best-of-three finals. "We've certainly taken the approach that our finals campaign starts now," Gilchrist said. "You could say it would be better not playing the game, to have a clear run into the finals... but we've got this game. If we let that lethargy creep in, we lose momentum. We want to win it, we want to keep building this momentum we've got."
With this year's tri-series expected to be the last under the current format, the retiring Gilchrist said the Australians wanted to end it in style, having lost to England last year. "It would be good to win it. We've got a couple of guys finishing our international careers, we don't have that trophy in the cabinet and it's the last tri-series there will probably ever be," he said. "It's been an integral part in the success of Australian cricket... and indeed the world cricket calendar."
Gilchrist was also unfazed by the latest controversy surrounding Hayden and said he wanted to get back to playing cricket. "Everyone is over it a little bit now," Gilchrist said. "I'm just trying to get on with the finals and play some cricket. I can't speak on behalf of everyone, particularly on their team, and I haven't spoken to our guys about it, but I'm sure everyone is just keen to let cricket get on. There's been a lot on, a lot of issues, I haven't played in too many summers where... there's been any number of issues you could bring to mind."
Jayasuriya, who's had a rather quiet series by his own standards will look to go out with a bang in his last ODI down under. Jayasuriya is still not a certainty in the ODI squad for the West Indies and this might just be his final match. Sri Lanka have really struggled with the bat and have managed only a single victory in seven matches this series, a record they'd like to improve upon before they leave Australian shores.
For Australia, Mitchell Johnson is expected to make a return to the squad while Stuart Clark sits out. Sri Lanka are likely to rest Farvez Maharoof, who's already nursing a side strain. With no rain forecast tomorrow, we can expect a full game. Do join us at 0315 GMT for all the live action.
Australia (From): Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist(w), Ricky Ponting(c), Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey, Andrew Symonds, James Hopes, Brad Hogg, Brett Lee, Nathan Bracken, Mitchell Johnson, Stuart Clark, Adam Voges, Ashley Noffke, Brad Haddin, David Hussey
Sri Lanka (From): Sanath Jayasuriya, Dilruwan Perera, Kumar Sangakkara(w), Mahela Jayawardene(c), Chamara Silva, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chamara Kapugedera, Chaminda Vaas, Ishara Amerasinghe, Lasith Malinga, Muttiah Muralitharan, Nuwan Kulasekara, Farveez Maharoof, Upul Tharanga, Chanaka Welegedara
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