Lankans bat first in must-win clash against Australia at MCG

Melbourne, Mar.2 (ANI): Sri Lanka have won the toss and elected to bat first in Friday's must-win 12th Commonwealth Bank series one-day clash with Australia at the MCG.

At the time of the filing of this report, Sri Lanka had lost two wickets for 131 runs of 27 overs. Skipper Mahela Jayawardene and opening batsman Tillekeratne Dilshan were snapped early in the innings. Former skipper Kumar Sangakkara on 59 and Dinesh Chandimal on 53 were at the increase, and had been involved in a partnership of 114 so far.

Australia (19 points) have already qualified for the best-of-three finals series which starts on Sunday in Brisbane, while Sri Lanka are equal with India on 15 points. But India's better head-to-head record against Sri Lanka in the series means Sri Lanka needs to win on Friday to claim a place in the finals.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Australia has rested paceman Brett Lee, who has been playing with a broken foot, while skipper Michael Clarke is out again with a back/hamstring injury. Shane Watson is leading Australia as acting captain for the second successive match.

Sri Lanka has rested injured paceman Farveez Maharoof.

Australia: Shane Watson (capt), Dan Christian, Xavier Doherty, Peter Forrest, Ben Hilfenhaus, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Clint McKay, James Pattinson, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Brett Lee 12th man.

Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thrimanne, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Rangana Herath, Lasith Malinga, Sachitra Senanayake, Upul Tharanga 12th man. (ANI)