Australia name squad for SL tour match

Australia have announced a 12-man squad for the three-day tour match beginning tomorrow at P Sara Stadium in Colombo.

Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, and vice-captain David Warner will all miss the first-class fixture as the tourists ramp up their preparations for the first Test in Kandy on 26 July.

Warner continues his recovery from an injured finger he suffered in the recent ODI tri-series, but remains on track for the series opener.

However, there was a brief scare for the Aussie opener when he was struck by a ball on the right shoulder while padding up for his net session at training today.

After consultation with Bupa Support Team doctor Peter Brukner, as well as a quick stint with an ice pack, Warner shook off any concerns as he ventured into the nets to take on the spinners.

Shaun Marsh – who scored an unbeaten century in the two-day warm-up match – will take Warner’s place at the top of the order for the team’s final competitive hit-out before the Test campaign commences.

Assuming Nathan Lyon is able to overcome the illness that prevented him from taking part in training today, the final two bowling spots are likely to be fought between Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jackson Bird, and Stephen O’Keefe.

The pitch for the clash against a local Board XI currently features more grass than what is to be expected on the Test strips, but it’s unlikely to impact Australia’s selection. 

With the tourists desperate to improve on their record in the subcontinent, allrounder Mitch Marsh has echoed the great Mike Hussey’s thoughts when it comes to batting in the alien conditions.

“Sometimes in the subcontinent wickets can fall in clumps as it is difficult to start your innings if the ball is turning or reverse swinging,” Hussey told News Corp.

“So the middle order will have to be very sharp and positive especially early in their innings.”

Marsh insists patience will be vital over the next five weeks.

“That’s something that we’ve spoken about as a batting group already,” Marsh told cricket.com.au in Colombo.

Quick Single: Mitch Marsh ready to make his mark

“Being as sharp as we can to start our innings.

“It’s about being able to grind as long as you can and bat time, and the longer you bat in these conditions the easier it gets.

“So I think patience is going to be the big thing for our batting here.”

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Cricket has revealed Milinda Siriwardana will lead the side to take on the visiting Australians this week.

The squad includes 36-year-old paceman Dilhara Fernando, as well as swing bowler Dasun Shanaka who burst onto the Test scene in May with three wickets in his first eight deliveries. Only to be dropped for the remainder of the series.

Australia squad: Shaun Marsh, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (c), Adam Voges, Mitch Marsh, Peter Nevill (wk), Mitchell Starc, Stephen O’Keefe, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird, Nathan Coulter-Nile (12th man to be named).

Sri Lanka Cricket Board XI: Madawa Warnapura, Osanda Fernando, Manoj Sarathchandra (wk), Asela Gunarathna, Shehan Jayasuriya, Milinda Siriwardana (c), Dasun Shanaka, Chathuranga Silva, Nisala Tharaka, Vimukthi Perera, Dilhara Fernando. Stand-by players: Lasith Embuldeniya, Chamika Karunarathna

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news and highlights from the tour match right here on cricket.com.au and follow @CricketAus for regular updates from P Sara Stadium