Australia VS Sri Lanka ODI Series starts tomorrow!

After Australia dominated the test match series 3-0, Sri Lanka will be looking forward to striking back in the limited overs formats. The Australian selectors have chosen an inexperienced squad for the first two ODI's with the likes of captain Michael Clarke, David Warner and Matthew Wade being rested. With both Shane Watson and James Pattinson unavailable due to recovering from injuries, there are few experienced heads in the Australian team. George Bailey (the T20 captain) takes the ODI captaincy despite having only played 13 matches. Mitchell Johnson has played the most matches with 112.

Meanwhile Sri Lanka have a relatively experienced squad, in spite of Kumar Sangakkara being unavailable. The side features mainstays of Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Tharanga, Dilshan, Matthews and Malinga. Lasith Malinga has been in great form of late in the Big Bash including a 6/7 a couple of weeks ago.

Australia are coming off mixed 2012 ODI form. After winning the Commonwealth Bank Tri-Series in March, they drew 2-2 with the West Indies, got smashed by England 4-0 in England, and then managed to defeat Pakistan 2-1 and Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates in August/September. In fact the aussies have only won 4 out of their last 10 matches (excluding no results). Sri Lanka have also had mixed form winning 6 out of their last 10. After the CB Series Final, Sri Lanka failed to win a game in the Asia Cup, won 3-1 against Pakistan, lost 4-1 to India, before beating New Zealand 3-0 in a rain-interrupted series in early November.

Sri Lanka amazingly have had the better of Australia of late in Australia. They have won 6 of the last 10 including a 2-1 series win in November 2010. Both teams are ranked close on the ODI table with Australia in 4th, narrowly in front of Sri Lanka in 5th.

Ultimately the series should be close, but with Sri Lanka's experience and good form in Australian conditions, it would not be surprise me at all if Sri Lanka end up coming out on top.

The Squads:

Australia (ODI #1 and #2): Bailey (c), Cutting, Doherty, Finch, Haddin, Hughes, D.Hussey, Johnson, Khawaja, McKay, Maxwell, Smith, Starc

Sri Lanka: Jayawardene (c), Matthews (vc), Chandimal, Dananjaya, Dilshan, Eranga, Herath, Kulasekara, Lakmal, Malinga, A.Mendis, J.Mendis, K.Perera, T.Perera, Tharanga, Thirimanne

Schedule:

ODI #1 - 11th January @ MCG, Melbourne
ODI #2 - 13th January @ Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
ODI #3 - 18th January @ Gabba, Brisbane
ODI #4 - 20th January @ SCG, Sydney
ODI #5 - 23rd January @ Bellerive Oval, Hobart