indianexpress.com :: Oz seek to continue winning momentum against SL

Oz seek to continue winning momentum against SL

Agencies

Posted online: Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 1145 hrs IST

Melbourne, February 28:
Australia will seek to create momentum for the best-of-three tri-series final against India when they take on Sri Lanka in an inconsequential league match in Melbourne on Friday.

While the hosts will be keen to use the game as a preparation for the tougher battles ahead, the Sri Lankans have only pride at stake in the game as they have already been eliminated from the title race.

The best-of-three finals will begin in Sydney on Sunday and it will be interesting to see whether the Aussies decide to rest some of their key players for the day-night contest.

Australia have won their last four matches in the tri-series and would look to iron out some of their weaknesses in an encounter which is only of academic interest.

They will also look to put the controversies about poor player behaviour behind them after another acrimonious week which saw opener Matthew Hayden launching a scathing verbal attack against Indian cricketers Harbhajan Singh and Ishant Sharma.

Sri Lanka have not been able to compete with the Aussies in the three previous games and it remains to be seen if Mahela Jayawardene can marshall his demoralised troops in order to finish the tour on a winning note.

Australia are treating the game as the beginning of their finals campaign.

"We've certainly taken the approach that our finals campaign starts now," retiring wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist said ahead of the match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

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Oz seek to continue winning momentum against SL Agencies Posted online: Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 1145 hrs IST Melbourne, February 28: Australia will seek to create momentum for the best-of-three tri-series final against India when they take on Sri Lanka in an inconsequential league match in Melbourne on Friday. While the hosts will be keen to use the game as a preparation for the tougher battles ahead, the Sri Lankans have only pride at stake in the game as they have already been eliminated from the title race. The best-of-three finals will begin in Sydney on Sunday and it will be interesting to see whether the Aussies decide to rest some of their key players for the day-night contest. Australia have won their last four matches in the tri-series and would look to iron out some of their weaknesses in an encounter which is only of academic interest. They will also look to put the controversies about poor player behaviour behind them after another acrimonious week which saw opener Matthew Hayden launching a scathing verbal attack against Indian cricketers Harbhajan Singh and Ishant Sharma. Sri Lanka have not been able to compete with the Aussies in the three previous games and it remains to be seen if Mahela Jayawardene can marshall his demoralised troops in order to finish the tour on a winning note. Australia are treating the game as the beginning of their finals campaign. "We've certainly taken the approach that our finals campaign starts now," retiring wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist said ahead of the match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.