The hosts after dominating the ODI series have marched on to take on the Aussies in their most subtle way of being in the baggy green.
Sri Lanka lost two early wickets in just 16 overs as skipper Pat initiated the visiting team’s attack after dismissing Pathum Nissanka while Starc sent the experienced batsman Kusal Mendis.
Both the wickets were caught by Alex Carey as Sri Lanka needs a healthy partnership to come back into the game.
Captain’s speech during the toss:
Pat Cummins; We were looking to bat first as well. We have managed to put up a XI (laughs). Thankfully, Travis has pulled up well and is playing. Two seamers, two spinners and a couple of spinning all-rounders. Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and Swepson are the bowlers playing. It is weird seeing him (Hazlewood) seating on the bench, he is a world-class bowler but we have gone with Starc.
Dimuth Karunaratne: We are going to bat first. We know how the pitch is going to behave on days 4 and 5, so we want to take advantage of the conditions. Vandersay is playing. We are playing one seamer and three spinners.
Playing XI for both the teams:
Australia (Playing XI): Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Swepson
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne(c), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella(w), Ramesh Mendis, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lasith Embuldeniya, Asitha Fernando