Dein erstes Forum » erent to what the souuthern hemisphere teams (do) a

Match factsAugust 21, 2016 Start time 2.30pm local (0900GMT)Big PictureIf ODIs and Tests occurred in parallel universes, Australia might be the pre-series favourites. They have been generally good in this format this year, defeating India 4-1 at home, and winning four out of seven completed matches in the Caribbean to claim that tri-series - though there was a series loss in New Zealand. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have been uniformly terrible - their top order has been unsteady and a toothless attack has gummed its way around the planet. In the field, Sri Lanka have sometimes seemed more interested with dating the ball than collecting it; theyve approached it tentatively, caressed it lovingly towards the boundary, then escorted it gallantly to the rope.But Tests and ODIs are played in the selfsame universe, so the business of picking a favourite becomes more difficult. On the one hand, some of Australias batsmen have been so traumatised in the Tests, they are likely to struggle with spin in ODIs as well. Yet, on the other hand, it is Rangana Herath who had them breaking out in cold sweats in the dressing room, and they will not have to face him in the shorter formats.Where Sri Lanka may have a minor edge is in the confidence of a dynamic top order. Every batsman in the likely top seven has a broad range of strokes, and the batting has rarely been weak in home one-day series. But the bowling is short of experience. Seekkuge Prasanna, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Dilruwan Perera, Lakshan Sandakan and Amila Aponso have played fewer than 100 ODIs between them.Australia will also know that while Sri Lanka cannot field their best player of the Test series, their own spearhead is now moving in to what has so far been his preferred format. Mitchell Starc has taken 98 wickets at 19.79 in ODIs. He is capable of defining this series.Form guide(last five completed matches, most recent first)Australia: WWLWLSri Lanka: LLLTWIn the spotlightWhen Tillakaratne Dilshan last played limited-overs cricket for Sri Lanka, he was the warhorse dragging a meek top order forward. He now enters a side that has experienced significant regeneration, and has a sense of fresh excitement about it. Less than three months out from his 40th birthday, Dilshan may now wish to impress on the selectors that he remains integral to this side. That is - if he himself wishes to continue for some time.Steven Smith appears to have taken the series whitewash harder than most, admitting that he finished the Test series with many regrets, and with dismissals playing over and over in his mind. But Heraths absence in the ODIs might benefit him most of all - he had been out to Herath five times in the Tests. Rarely does a tour go by without a major contribution from Smith, and his one-day form in the Caribbean was excellent. He hit a tournament-high 264 runs at an average of 52.80.Teams newsSri Lanka will probably push Dhananjaya de Silva into the lower middle order to round out their top seven. But on the even of the match, Angelo Mathews admitted the attack was proving a selection headache. One of either Amila Aponso or Lakshan Sandakan may get a debut however.Sri Lanka(possible): 1. Kusal Perera, 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Kusal Mendis, 4 Dinesh Chandimal, 5 Angelo Mathews (capt), 6 Dhananjaya de Silva, 7 Milinda Siriwardana, 8 Dilruwan Perera, 9 Amila Aponso/Lakshan Sandakan, 10 Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan PradeepThere is a little uncertainty in the top of the order, given there are four openers in the squad. With the Khettarama track expected to take turn, two spinners may play, with Josh Hazlewood perhaps sitting out.Australia(possible): 1 David Warner, 2 Aaron Finch, 3 Shaun Marsh/Usman Khawaja, 4 Steven Smith (capt), 5 George Bailey, 6 Matthew Wade (wk), 7 James Faulkner, 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Nathan Coulter-Nile, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Adam ZampaPitch and conditionsMathews said the pitch looked quite dry again, and it almost always turns at Khettarama - particularly in the second innings of a match. There is a chance of showers, around dusk.Stats and triviaIf Mitchell Starc gets two wickets in the first ODI, he will be the fastest bowler ever to 100 wickets. He has played 51 matches so far. Saqlain Mushtaq - the current record-holder - achieved the milestone in 53 games.Of the 22 completed ODIs between these two teams, in Sri Lanka, the hosts have won 13 matches and lost nine.QuotesTo win a series against a number one team - especially against Australia - meant a lot to us. The confidence levels turned around after that Pallekele match. The confidence levels are pretty high now and we hope to continue that in the one-day format as well.Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews on the good vibes flowing from the Test series whitewash Steven Stamkos Jersey . -- Josh Sterk scored once and set up two more as the Oshawa Generals edged the visiting Belleville Bulls 3-2 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. Andrei Vasilevskiy Lightning Jersey . Speaking to the Chicago Tribune at baseballs Winter Meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Boras called the former home of the Expos a "tremendous environment" for baseball. http://www.lightninghockeystore.us/Mikhail-Sergachev-Jersey/ . Jon Montgomerys gold medal in skeleton at the Whistler Sliding Centre and his subsequent auctioning off of a pitcher of beer in the village square elevated him to folk-hero status. Brayden Point Lightning Jersey . -- Peyton Manning will have all of his wide receivers available for the first time in a month when the Denver Broncos begin their playoff run Jan. Ryan McDonagh Lightning Jersey . 24 Baylor in a Big 12 clash between teams trending in opposite directions. Andrew Wiggins made 10-of-12 from the foul line and scored 17 for Kansas (14-4, 5-0 Big 12), which capped a stretch of four straight games against ranked opponents unscathed. The Wallabies have been warned not to fall into the trap of viewing France as a team of all sizzle and no steak.Lauded as the kings of flair, Frances reputation as international rugbys flashy team has earned them plaudits for decades.But it can mask the hard-nosed rugby which wins big Tests, and that is what has the Wallabies on high alert ahead of Saturdays clash at Stade de France.Prop Sekope Kepu has concerns which hit closer to home than the dashing pace and guile of their outside backs.Their scrum is a weapon for them. Theyre renowned for it, Kepu said on Tuesday.Kepu said the key to nullifying the 80,000-strong crowd was to silence them in the scrum.And even the loss of impressive young prop Jefferson Poirot to a shoulder injury shouldnt hinder Frances threat in the set piece, Kepu argues.Hes a great young guy coming through and obviously to lose him is massive for the French side, but theyve got a lot of guys coming through, Kepu said of his former Bordeaux teammate.Theres no shortage of front rowers here.Kepu plans on taking aside young bucks Allen Alaalatoa and Tom Robertson ahead of the match to prepare them for what to expect from the crowd and the match.The biggest thing is (the French) love scrummaging, their mentality is a bit different to what the souuthern hemisphere teams (do) and what were used to, Kepu said.ddddddddddddIts something they take pride in and its something weve built over the last year or two as the Wallabies and Australian front row.Its a forward pack thing (but) just the way they operate and the way they like to scrum is something that Ill have a chat to the boys about.Its a massive challenge and were definitely looking forward to it.Both Kepu and utlity back Dane Haylett-Petty have experience playing club rugby in France, and both are wise to the ruse that French teams are all flash and no substance.Theyre a great team. Theyre capable of playing an attacking, exciting style of rugby, Haylett-Petty said.Everyone talks about the French flair (but) also because of the European (style) theyre also able to grind out wins.We know what a challenge its going to be and were really looking for to it.The boys are preparing well and looking forward to the next challenge.Australia is currently undefeated on the Spring Tour, with victories over Wales and Scotland leaving them halfway to a treasured grand slam - with fixtures against Ireland and England to follow the France Test. ' ' '