Australia vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test Preview

This Friday the series between Australia and Sri Lanka heads south to sunny Bellerive Oval in Tasmania for the second and final Test Match of this series. Australia scored a thumping innings victory in the First Test in Brisbane and will be looking for a clean-sweep, while Sri Lanka will be determined to put in a better performance.

The tourists will welcome back dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara who withdrew from the First Test with a hamstring complaint. Sri Lanka's batting could not handle the pace and accuracy of the Australian fast bowlers, so Sangakkara's experience will be vital to his team's chances. It's uncertain who will make way for Sangakkara with promising wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene impressing with the gloves. He may hold his place and allow Sangakkara to focus on his batting, at the expense of the inconsistent Thilan Samaraweera or the outspoken Marvan Atapattu.

Sri Lankan selectors have been under pressure this week after their exclusion of slinger Lasith Malinga. His raw pace and enthusiasm was sorely missed on a fast Gabba wicket, and he will be a certain inclusion in this match, most likely at the expense of Dilhara Fernando.

The Aussies will go into this contest with the same lineup and full of confidence. Their youngsters stepped up and proved that they were ready for Test cricket, with Phil Jaques making his maiden century and Mitchell Johnson impressive with the new ball. Stuart McGill will be looking forward to grabbing some more wickets, on a surface which is predicted to be more conducive to his leg spin bowling.

With fine weather predicted for the Test in Hobart, the chances of Sri Lanka surviving this match once again look pretty slim. The pitch will be full of runs, but Sri Lanka is yet to prove they can handle the Australian bowling attack. Australia at $1.42 for the win at Sportsbet Australia looks like a solid betting option for punters.

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