Cricket Australia's (CA) national selection panel (NSP) Tuesday named a 13-player squad for the second Test against Sri Lanka starting on Boxing Day here at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Australia pushed their lead out to 260 runs with eight wickets in hand with a declaration looming later on the fourth day of the first Hobart Test against Sri Lanka on Monday.
Australia finished Day Three on a high inspite of a fighting century from Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan and a gritty half-century from vice-captain Angelo Mathews. Australia's Peter Siddle ran through the visitors' batting line-up as he picked up five wickets..
Australia lost another fast bowler on Sunday with Ben Hilfenhaus leaving the field early on the third day's play of the first Test against Sri Lanka.
Australian ended the day on high note despite Sri Lanka’s Tillakaratne Dilshan smashed a century and vice-captain Angelo Mathews scored a half-century. Pacer Peter Siddle diminished the batting line-up in quick succession by taking five wickets.
Tillakaratne Dilshan hit a composed century while all-rounder Angelo Mathews (75) was out minutes before Tea as Sri Lanka got to 249 for five at the break against Australia in the first Test of the series.
Skipper Michael Clarke has vowed there will be no complacency in the Test series with Sri Lanka, insisting Australia will improve on their recent performances against South Africa.
Phillip Hughes is in line to replace newly retired Ricky Ponting after being named in the Australian squad for the opening Test against Sri Lanka starting in Hobart next week.
Fast bowling great Dennis Lillee has questioned the work-rate of Australia’s current crop of quicks after injury and fatigue sidelined several pacemen ahead of the final South Africa Test.
Former Australian pacer Dennis Lillee believes that Mitchell Johnson, who has returned to the Test fold after almost a year, will be a vital cog in next year’s Ashes series against England.