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Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene claims Australia’s bowling attack is their weakness, and his batsmen will target them in Friday’s one-day international at the WACA Ground.
With Brett Lee out injured and emerging stars Pat Cummins and James Pattinson still on the comeback trail, Jayawardene said Australia’s bowling attack could potentially be exposed if his team plays smartly.
Those comments are sure to fire up the likes of speedsters Clint McKay and Mitchell Starc, who combined for six wickets to skittle India for just 151 in the series-opener.
Ryan Harris, who boasts a one-day average of 16.80, and spinner Xavier Doherty were also part of that attack and will no doubt want to prove a point against Sri Lanka on Friday.
Jayawardene said his team needed to win the key moments to cause an upset over Australia.
And with Harris having endured an injury-hit summer and Starc and McKay still yet to establish themselves as regulars in the national set-up, Jayawardene felt his batting line-up had a good chance to get on top.
“(Harris) is a decent bowler but they’re still missing quite a few frontline guys,” Jayawardene said after Sri Lanka’s four-wicket loss to India in Perth on Wednesday.
“That’s an area we can target.”
Sri Lanka were disappointing in their opening match of the series, posting just 8-233 before India cruised to the victory target with 20 balls to spare.
The match was Sri Lanka’s first under new coach Graham Ford, who controversially replaced the sacked Geoff Marsh last month.
Jayawardene, who took over as skipper from Tillakaratne Dilshan as part of the upheaval, said it would take time for his team to build momentum.
Australian batsman Peter Forrest is likely to be handed his one-day international debut on Friday, but coach Mickey Arthur said he was struggling to decide who to leave out of the side.
Paceman Ben Hilfenhaus has been drafted into the squad as cover for Lee, but Arthur said he was almost certain to stick with the same bowling attack that performed so well against India last week.
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