Last Updated :24-05-2012 03:55



 
 

Lanka to target 'weak' Aussie bowlers

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Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene claims Australia's bowling attack is their weakness, and his batsmen will target them in Friday's one-day international at the WACA Ground.

With Brett Lee out injured and emerging stars Pat Cummins and James Pattinson still on the comeback trail, Jayawardene said Australia's bowling attack could potentially be exposed if his team plays smartly.

Those comments are sure to fire up the likes of speedsters Clint McKay and Mitchell Starc, who combined for six wickets to skittle India for just 151 in the series-opener.

Ryan Harris, who boasts a one-day average of 16.80, and spinner Xavier Doherty were also part of that attack and will no doubt want to prove a point against Sri Lanka on Friday.

Jayawardene said his team needed to win the key moments to cause an upset over Australia.

And with Harris having endured an injury-hit summer and Starc and McKay still yet to establish themselves as regulars in the national set-up, Jayawardene felt his batting line-up had a good chance to get on top.

"(Harris) is a decent bowler but they're still missing quite a few frontline guys," Jayawardene said after Sri Lanka's four-wicket loss to India in Perth on Wednesday.

"That's an area we can target."

Sri Lanka were disappointing in their opening match of the series, posting just 8-233 before India cruised to the victory target with 20 balls to spare.

The match was Sri Lanka's first under new coach Graham Ford, who controversially replaced the sacked Geoff Marsh last month.

Jayawardene, who took over as skipper from Tillakaratne Dilshan as part of the upheaval, said it would take time for his team to build momentum.

Australian batsman Peter Forrest is likely to be handed his one-day international debut on Friday, but coach Mickey Arthur said he was struggling to decide who to leave out of the side.

Paceman Ben Hilfenhaus has been drafted into the squad as cover for Lee, but Arthur said he was almost certain to stick with the same bowling attack that performed so well against India last week. (Source: AAP)






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Comments  

 
-7+76#Nodrog2012-02-09 12:17
Aussie bowlers to target weak Lankan batsmen!
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-1+0#piyal2012-02-09 12:52
absolutely correct - Mahela
we have a excellent bowling attack
yesterday we saw that
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-0+2#Calistus Jayatilleke2012-02-09 14:30
It would do a lot better for our team to assess their strengths rather than look for weaknesses of the opponents.
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-0+3#roshan2012-02-09 14:33
Mahela, did u saw Aus-Ind test series. they aren't weak bowlers.
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-0+2#prag2012-02-09 15:21
SL first must change the bowling line.. no spinner very weak team selection in match againts India... Mahela do not over estimate about SL bowlers...
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-0+3#jan2012-02-09 16:06
we need a front line spiner to test the Aussie strong batting line up.
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-3+22#sam2012-02-09 16:15
Don't count your chickens before they hatch. Being over confident can result in losing this game as well
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-0+5#DonQuixote2012-02-09 16:25
The loss of this game is a foregone conclusion. Talking like a fool will only make it worse !
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-0+2#Dupath2012-02-09 16:34
I hope, just hope he can fulfil this promise, the ozie bowlers did not look weak against the Indians who beat us.
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-0+2#Fazal-Sydney2012-02-09 16:35
Despite the injuries to Australia's frontline bowlers in Brett Lee,Pattinson,Cummins and Bollinger the aussie bowling attack is still quite strong with Harris,Starc, McKay and Doherty expected to do the bulk of the bowling.Sri Lanka should be quite familiar having played against them in Australia in 2010 and in Sri Lanka last year. Though only three senior players still remain from the last world cup squad in the current team in the absence of both Watson and Haddin.
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-0+5#A L2012-02-09 16:38
you have to change the composition of the team. you can't win matches with two specialist bowlers.
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-5+6#gorakaya2012-02-09 17:08
Mahela, be careful about what you say.
You will pay dearly for such statements.

But we love you Mahela.
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-1+18#suraj2012-02-09 17:14
But the problem is Sri Lankan batsmen are 'too weak' to target weak Aussie bowlers
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-0+7#steve2012-02-09 17:27
Dont target the weak bowlers, just target the weak balls. Weak bowlers got some good balls too.
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-1+3#hks2012-02-09 17:40
Let your bat to speak on your behalf!!
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-1+3#Ravi2012-02-09 18:50
I don't think australia has a weak bowlers or batsmen.in this tri series australia is the strongest team. so before you speak you must think what are you going to say.
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-2+4#Amuda Sima2012-02-09 19:20
Before everybody else, he himself should improve his batting. He failed miserably in recent matches. The shot he played last match against India was hopeless.
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-0+2#Kolomba Kaka2012-02-09 19:24
Stop talking with your mouths, let the bats talk!
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