Sri Lanka aren’t insulted by Australia picking so-called second stringers for the initial games in the one-day series, evergreen batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan says.
But the tourists are keenly awaiting the chance to test themselves against the best Australia have to offer in game three of the five-match series in Brisbane on Friday.
The Sri Lankans levelled the series at 1-1 with an eight-wicket trouncing of Australia in Adelaide on Sunday.
But Dilshan says Australia’s inclusion of captain Michael Clarke, opener David Warner and first-choice gloveman Matthew Wade presents a sterner challenge in Brisbane.
“They are great players in the Australian side – they are match-winning players,” Dilshan told reporters in Adelaide on Monday.
“It is not easy for us with these three coming back in the side but still we are looking forward to playing good cricket. If we play like yesterday, we have a good chance to win this series.”
Dilshan said Australia’s controversial resting and rotation of players wasn’t an insult to Sri Lanka’s cricketers.
“They are looking forward to playing the Ashes in a couple of months, they want to try some players, that is why they are rotating their players,” he said.
“The thing is, we know anyone who comes into their side is very tough. They are looking forward to doing a job for the Australian team.
“And a few of the youngsters we saw in the Big Bash are bowling really well and they are in good form. That is why the selectors bring them to the national side.
“We know that everyone coming into the Australian team is hard and giving it 100 per cent.
“But we are not worried about opposition – we want to play our brand of cricket.”
The veteran of 225 one-day internationals said the tourists gained massive confidence from winning in Adelaide ahead of a pivotal fixture in Brisbane.
“The Brisbane match is a crucial one for both teams,” he said.
“If we win in Brisbane, we are a good chance to win the series.
“It’s not easy playing in Australia – any kind of cricket is not easy.
“Last year, we played very good cricket here and beat Australia a few times and unfortunately lost the finals but we are enjoying playing tough cricket in Australia. Everyone looks forward to taking that challenge.”