Jayasuriya back for key ODI clash
Jayasuriya back for key ODI clash
He was sorely missed on Thursday when Sri Lanka blew their chance to move to the top of the triangular series table.

Perth: Sri Lankan opener Sanath Jayasuriya is expected to resume his place in the team for Sunday's vital triangular series clash with Australia in Perth after recovering from a thigh strain.

The big-hitter was sorely missed on Thursday when Sri Lanka blew their chance to move to the top of the triangular series table after losing to the Australians by five wickets in Adelaide.

But team manager Michael Tissera said on Friday that Jayasuriya, one of only four batsmen in the world to make more than 10,000 One-Day international runs, would be fit.

"He should be ok. He just had a little bit of a thigh strain but it's fine," Tissera said from Adelaide.

The last time Jayasuriya played the Australians -- in Sydney last Sunday -- he smacked 114 runs off 96 balls to set up a 51-run victory.

Tissera said captain Marvan Atapattu, who hobbled off the Adelaide Oval while fielding on Thursday, should also be available.

"It's a back spasm but nothing serious, we're expecting him to be fit," he said.

Sri Lanka, due to arrive in Perth on Friday evening, face a tough few days with a match against world champions Australia on Sunday followed by another against South Africa on Tuesday.

Their bowling attack, which relies heavily on the spin of Muttiah Muralitharan and Malinga Bandara, will also be tested on the Western Australian Cricket Association ground wicket, known for it's bounce and pace.

Their cause will not be helped by the absence for another week of left-arm paceman Ruchira Perera, who has a groin strain.

After five matches, Australia heads the series table with 14 points from three wins, while Sri Lanka are second with two wins from five matches and nine points.

But South Africa have a game in hand, on eight points from two wins and are ready to pounce on a wicket more-suited to their pace-based attack.

The Australians will again be without captain Ricky Ponting on Sunday.

He will continue to be rested under the selectors' policy of giving key players a break during the lengthy series in which each team plays the other four times followed by a best-of-three finals play-off.

They have named the same squad that won in Adelaide, minus fast bowler Nathan Bracken, for the match.

Cricket Australia said that Bracken had been left out of the squad for "personal reasons".

Wicketkeeper-opener Adam Gilchrist will again captain the side which is likely to see either pace bowlers Stuart Clark or Brett Dorey brought in to cover for Bracken.

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