Sri Lanka on the march
Cricket tips 
/ Andy Morris / 05 November 2010 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market
Marsh’s injury gives Callum Ferguson another chance to be a part of the Australian squad.
Andy Morris ponders, can Sri Lanka win their first series in Australia?
Australia take on Sri Lanka in the second ODI of the three-match series at Sydney Cricket Ground.
The Sri Lankans lead 1-0 in the series after they won at Melbourne by one wicket, and, after losing the first ODI of the series against Sri Lanka, Australia had more bad news as Shaun Marsh was ruled out of the rest of the series due to a back injury. He suffered the injury batting in the first innings and failed to take the field during the Sri Lankan chase.
Sri Lanka won a nail-biting contest by one wicket after the Aussies seemed to have had Sri Lanka on the mat. Chasing 240 for a win, Sri Lanka had slumped to 107/8 before staging a Houdini-like recovery thanks to Angelo Mathews and Lasith Malinga.
Marsh's injury gives Callum Ferguson another chance to be a part of the Australian squad. Ferguson had last played for Australia in the final of the Champions Trophy in 2009 before he twisted his knee and was ruled out for the next 12 months. Ferguson made his comeback in the Champions League T20 this year and did well for his side. What seems to have gone in his favour is that he had a good start to the domestic season as well, smashing a century in the Sheffield Shield.
The second match against Sri Lanka will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground. However, Ferguson may not get a chance to play the game given that Ricky Ponting should be back into the playing eleven after missing the first ODI.
The Australian bowlers will look to bowl much better than what they did in the previous game at the tail. There were far too many extras and short deliveries and the planning looked bereft of any ideas.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, would have been relieved and celebrated hard into the night, but there will be questions asked of their top-order. After all, giving away four wickets to a debutant spinner can hardly augur well for a side born and bred against such slow bowlers.
The question on everyone's lips now is whether Sri Lanka can go on to win their first ever series in Australia or will Ponting's arrival change things around for the hosts?
