Sri Lanka look to avenge their World Cup defeat

Sydney, Feb 7 (UNI) Sri Lanka would look to avenge their 2007 World Cup defeat at the hands of Australia as the two teams face each other tomorrow at SCG for the first time in ODIs since April last year.

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawerdene said he is hopeful that pace bowler Lasith Malinga would come out all guns blazing in what is being considered by his team as a World Cup final re-match against Australia.

''He is bowling as well as I've seen him,'' Jayawadene said.

''If the ball gets roughed up a bit then Lasith can be a handful with his reverse-swing.'' Jayawardene added that the tearaway fast bowler would prefer dry conditions at the SCG so that the pitch is helpful for reverse swing.

''It depends on the climate as well, if it is going to be raining and the ball and the outfield are going to get wet there won't be that much reverse swing. But if it keeps dry there is a very good chance that he can produce some good stuff,'' he said.

''It (rain) has always been hurtful for us if you have spinners, slow bowlers,'' he added.''You can't control the weather. We just need to see if we can get a game in.

''All the guys have been waiting for this opportunity. It's always a challenge for us to play Australia and to challenge ourselves as well to see where we are.'' The 30-year-old praised the young fast bowler Ishara Amarasinghe who returned with impressive figures of one for 30 against India in the rain affected match at Brisbane.

''Ishara has worked really hard. He has been around domestic cricket for quite some time. He's not a youngster,'' the skipper said.

''He has taken some time to develop himself and to realise what kind of potential he has got. It was the first big game for him and he bowled really well. He wasn't overwhelmed by the occasion which is great and hopefully he can keep improving,'' he added.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting too was impressed with Amarasinghe and said the home team is taking Sri Lanka as a challenge.

''I have been pretty impressed by one of their young quicks Ishara Amarasinghe,'' Ponting said. ''I thought he made a very good start to his campaign here in Australia.'' ''Malinga is obviously dangerous as well, particularly in these sorts of conditions in Sydney where the ball might reverse swing late in the game. They're a dangerous side, we all know that,'' he added.

UNI XC RAR AB DS1635