David Warner declared the “extreme” pitches Sri Lanka have prepared during their one-day international series victory may backfire on the hosts, suggesting they have given Australia ideal preparation for the upcoming Test campaign.
Warner was upbeat, and combative, despite falling one run short of his 19th ODI century as Sri Lanka took an unassailable 3-1 ODI series lead after the Aussies’ dramatic last-over defeat on Tuesday evening in Colombo.
Sri Lanka unleashed six different spinners on the same R Premadasa Stadium pitch that had been used only 48 hours earlier for the preceding game, exposing Australia to more than 40 overs of spin for just the fifth time in their 51-year ODI history.
With sharp-spinning surfaces also expected for the two Tests in Galle, Warner insisted Sri Lanka’s tactics had played into their hands.
“We’re always expecting turning wickets and it’s fantastic preparation for us … it’s great practice leading into the Test series,” the 35-year-old said after the four-run loss.
“We actually love that they’re playing on the wickets back-to-back, that’s what we want, we can’t get that practice in the nets – the nets are green. (Cricket.com.au)
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