Harris, the most successful bowler in the series with 11 wickets, suffered a hamstring strain during the drawn second Test in Pallekele, and will be replaced by Peter Siddle. Left-handed Khawaja was dropped to make way for former captain Ricky Ponting, who returns to the side after taking leave from the Pallekele Test for the birth of his second child.
Captain Michael Clarke and the selectors had a tricky decision to make after Shaun Marsh, who replaced Ponting in the second Test, scored a century on debut.
“It’s brilliant to have Ponting back, he was always going to walk back into the team,” Clarke said ahead of a practice session at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC). “It’s hard for Khawaja. It’s been a tough selection, but with Shaun making 141 on debut, it was hard to leave him out.”
Clarke said resting Harris was a precautionary measure considering the heavy schedule ahead, which includes Test series against South Africa, New Zealand and India.
“I guess we have to be safe, rather than sorry,” said the captain. “I certainly don’t think it’s worth the risk.”
Clarke said Australia’s 1-0 lead in the series had put the onus on Sri Lanka to call the shots.
“Our goal is to win the Test, but if we draw, we go home winners,” he said. “But there is probably a bit more pressure on the Sri Lankans.”
Sri Lanka look upon Sangakkara
If the hosts need inspiration, they need look no further than their former captain Kumar Sangakkara, who makes his 100th Test appearance today.
Clarke paid rich tributes to the prolific left-hander, but hoped Australia get him out early.
“I’ve enjoyed watching him score runs,” said Clarke. “But I don’t like it when he scores them against Australia and I hope he gets a pair in this game.”
In the 18 Tests Sangakkara has played at the SSC, he has scored 1,864 runs at an awe-inspiring average of 74.56, with seven three-figure knocks, including three double centuries.
It was at the same venue that Sangakkara (287) and Jayawardene (374) recorded the highest partnership ever in Test cricket – 624 for the third wicket in 2006 against South Africa. But Sangakkara has never featured in a Sri Lankan Test win over Australia, something the star batsman hoped to rectify.
“The key is to score big in the first-innings, which we haven’t been able to do,” said Sangakkara. “I think we have a good enough team to win on any wicket. It’s always challenging to play Australia but we have not challenged them enough in the series.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 16th, 2011.
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