Australia full strength for SL

Australia have recalled Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath to action, as they prepare to open this year’s VB Series with a matchup against Sri Lanka. The game will be played at Telstra Dome in Melbourne tomorrow, and features an Australian side in dominant form tackling the woefully out-of-form Sri Lankans.

Sri Lanka recently lost 3 of 4 One Day Internationals to New Zealand, who had just competed fiercely with Australia in a 2-1 defeat. Further to their worries, the Sri Lankans fell to a 7-wicket defeat at the hands of Victoria in their lone VB Series warm-up match.

McGrath and Lee ensure that it will be a full strength pace attack that attempts to exploit Sri Lanka’s clear weaknesses against pace. The bowlers missed the recent Twenty20 International against South Africa, as they were rested. Stuart Clark and Brett Dorey miss out on selection, but Nathan Bracken retains his place and will serve as first change.

James Hopes returns to the team in an allrounder role, and Simon Katich will open the batting with Adam Gilchrist. Over the course of the tournament, Australia is expected to pose a squad rotation system to assess the options in preparation for their World Cup defence in the West Indies next year.

Australia Squad for VB Series opener:
RT Ponting (captain), AC Gilchrist (wk), DR Martyn, SM Katich, JR Hopes, B Lee, GD McGrath, GB Hogg (supersub), MJ Clarke, A Symonds, MEK Hussey, NW Bracken.