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Australia Twenty20 captain Cameron White believes his team can bounce back in Monday night’s second and final clash against Sri Lanka.
Despite saying his team’s performance wasn’t up to scratch in their 35-run loss to the hosts in Saturday’s opening match of the two-game series, White was confident his charges could hit back at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
“In Twenty20 one thing you don’t want to do is to sit back,” White said.
“You need to stay positive and aggressive so that’s what we’ll talk about and come out in that frame of mind on Monday.
“The Sri Lankan team is playing really well. They’re a good side in these conditions and it’ll be hard work again but I believe in this side and we can get better.
“We have to stay positive and come out and play well. There’s a good chance we can square the series.”
While Saturday’s match was dominated by Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan’s brilliant 104 not out, Australia also struggled to deal with the hosts’ spin-heavy bowling line-up.
Debutant Dilruwan Perera claimed three top order wickets while left-armer Rangana Herath also troubled the Australian batsmen.
White says learning to handle Sri Lanka’s slower bowlers will be key not only for Monday’s game but in the five one-day matches and three Tests that follow.
“This is going to be a used wicket in two days’ time again,” he said.
“I’m assuming spinners from both teams will play a big part.
“I definitely think it’ll be a trend. In this part of the world we know that teams coming up against the Australian team will look to use their slow bowlers in these conditions very well.”
Monday’s final Twenty20 gets underway at 7pm local time (2330 AEST).
The one-day series begins at the same venue on Wednesday.
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