Sri Lanka seek record series win

Tourists in confident mood ahead of 4th ODI against Australia today.

A buoyant Sri Lanka is all set to face Australia in Sydney today with hopes of becoming the first team to secure two bilateral One-Day International (ODI) series triumphs against the hosts at their home-ground.

The tourists currently lead the five-match series 2-1 after a four-wicket win in Brisbane on Friday.

“What happened in the last two games is fantastic,” said Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene. “However, we need to start all over again in Sydney.”

Australia captain Michael Clarke, on the other hand, expressed his frustration on the way his team batted in the third ODI, according to ESPNcricinfo.

“Our batting performance was very poor,” said Clarke. “We have no excuse for that. If we bat like that we’re not going to make many runs.”

Meanwhile, the hosts’ coach Mickey Arthur said he hoped Australia would put on a better show today.

“We certainly don’t expect performances like that from the quality of players that we’ve got at our disposal,” said Arthur. “I’m sure they’ll bounce back today.”

Bird added to ODI squad

Australian selectors have added fast bowler Jackson Bird to their one-day squad for the crucial clash.

“Jackson Bird will join the squad as cover for the fourth Commonwealth Bank Series match in Sydney,” Cricket Australia said in a statement late Friday.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20^th, 2013.