AUS v SL: Bat first or second?

It’s the sort of question that seems innocuous but can give captains sleepless nights. Most captains, one would assume, might just prefer losing the toss and not having to make the decision! But even if a decision were to be made for you, there needs to be a plan in place. Australia has shown themselves to be adept at setting totals and chasing down scores. And despite all reported weaknesses in their bowling and batting, none of it has even come to the fore let alone exploiting it. England, perhaps, was the only team that was somewhat close to making Australia sweat. But then Ian Bell went and got himself out.

Sri Lanka has had a stutter or two along the way in the World Cup and none bigger than the thrashing they received at the hands of Australia. They were doing pretty okay until they went and lost 7/59 to collapse from 1657/3 to 226 all out. And this came about thanks to disciplined bowling from Australia.

In their last few encounters, since 2000, Sri Lanka has played Australia 20 times but won only six. Of the most recent five, Sri Lanka has won only once. None of these are good signs and the loss in the Super Eight will certainly rankle the Lankans no end.

Australia seems invincible and immune to pressure. But it was only in February that England showed the world it could be done. Sri Lanka needs to re-look at those tapes and see what England did right. For once!