Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene says his team are bracing for a backlash from Australia in their three-Test series, likening Michael Clarke’s men to “wounded soldiers”.
Speaking ahead of Sri Lanka’s tour-opening three-day match against a Chairman’s XI in Canberra from Thursday, Jayawardene said the Australian team would be hurting badly after their 309-run defeat by South Africa in the third Test in Perth.
He had no doubt they would use that as added motivation in the series against Sri Lanka which starts on Friday week in Hobart.
“I see them as wounded soldiers – they could come back stronger against us,” Jayawardene said on Wednesday.
“… We have to do a lot of work. We’re here to compete. (But) Australia will come hard at us, especially after the Test because of what happened to them.
“We need to brace for that and make sure we handle those tough situations.
“It’s about winning those few contests in a big, big game. So you try and win as many contests as you possibly can.”
Jayawardene said Australia remained a formidable outfit even after the retirement of champion batsman Ricky Ponting.
Sri Lanka are slightly wounded themselves, coming off a 167-run Test loss to New Zealand, in a home series where their champion batsman Kumar Sangakkara failed to excel.
The Black Caps’ rare Test victory allowed them to draw the two-game series and led to speculation Jayawardene would step down from the Sri Lankan captaincy.
The 35-year-old confirmed on Wednesday that he would assess his position as captain following the Australian series, hinting that it would be wise to start grooming vice-captain Angelo Mathews into the role.
“After this, we get a well-deserved four weeks off, after about three years, so it gives me a bit of time to think (about) what I need to do.”
“We need to groom another leader as well. It’s very important to have that changeover is done smoothly while the senior players are still in the side.
“That’s something that I will speak with the selectors (about) and see what’s best for them and then make a call.”
