Australia will have their regular skipper Michael Clarke back after he sat out of the previous two matches because of a leg muscle injury © Getty Images
By CricketCountry Staff
Hobart: Feb 24, 2012
Australia go into the 9th ODI with the aim of building a team for the 2015 World Cup after Ricky Ponting was dropped from the side despite his massive reputation and the record of being the country’s top run-getter in the one-day format with 13,704 runs — second only to Sachin Tendulkar in the all-time list.
Head to head, both the teams have beaten each other once in the competition and with India struggling to stay afloat, they could be the eventual finalists as well.
On the face of it, Australia can be termed favourites because of the home advantage but given how the Sri Lankans have adapted and exploited the conditions to their advantage is also hard to ignore.
The islanders have been unexpectedly tough and have not gone without a fight even in matches they have lost.
All-rounder Shane Watson has been rested in the match at Hobart. The imposing cricketer was missing in action for past many weeks because of a calf injury.
Given the form, both teams would battle it out as equals in the match aiming to put a seal on the final berth.
Australia: Matthew Wade (wk), David Warner, Peter Forrest, Michael Clarke (c), Michael Hussey, David Hussey, Daniel Christian, Brett Lee, Ryan Harris, Xavier Doherty, Ben Hilfenhaus.
Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (c), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Farveez Maharoof, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Rangana Herath.
Catch live scores and ball-by-ball commentary of the 9th ODI here