Cricket: Annual Aussie one-day fest ready to go

The annual three-way series of limited overs internationals begins across the Tasman this afternoon with the first match in the 2006 VB Series, which this year features Australia, Sri Lanka and South Africa.

The hosts will kick things off by playing the hapless Sri Lankans, who are fresh from getting a pasting from the Black Caps over the past month.

The Australian newspaper today highlighted the vast disparity between tonight's two sides, referring to the "complete mismatch" which will be seen at the start of the Sri Lankan innings.

Opening batsman Upul Tharanga averages a modest 29 from 14 matches while his even less-credentialled partner Jehan Mubarak has just 147 runs from 10 matches at 16, with only one half-century.

They will be facing the best one-day bowlers in the game, The Australian points out. Glenn McGrath is ranked No.1 on the ICC listings and Brett Lee No.2.

Sri Lanka have won just two of their last eleven ODIs, and the recent injury to their inspirational captain Sanath Jayasuriya would have been a devastating blow for the Tom Moody-coached team. Without players of his calibre, the next month in the Great Southern Land is sure to be a real struggle for the men in blue uniforms.

For the Australians, Ricky Ponting and the selectors will be using the series to try out combinations in the leadup to their choosing a preliminary squad for the next cricket World Cup. 

The New Zealand TAB has Sri Lanka at 6-1 outsiders for the win. Proceedings get underway at the Telstra Dome in Melbourne from 4pm today.

TEAMS:

Australia: Adam Gilchrist, Simon Katich, Ricky Ponting (c), Damien Martyn, Andrew Symonds, Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey, James Hopes, Brett Lee, Nathan Bracken, Glenn McGrath. Super sub Brad Hogg.

Sri Lanka from: Marvan Atapattu (c), Jehan Mubarak, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Michael Vandort, Russel Arnold, Chaminda Vaas, Farveez Maharoof, Muttiah Muralitharan, Malinga Bandara, Ruchira Perera, Dilhara Fernando, Chamara Kapugedara, Nuwan Kulasekera.

* * *

Meanwhile, South African cricket coach Mickey Arthur predicts captain Graeme Smith will break out of a worrying form slump to claim the man-of-the-series award in the upcoming one-day international tournament.

It's a bold statement considering the opening batsman scored just 155 runs at an average of 25.83 in South Africa's recent 0-2 test series loss to Australia.

His batting woes continued in Twenty20 matches against Australia and Queensland this week when he made scores of 22 and six respectively.

But Arthur believes a big innings is just around the corner for Smith, with South Africa's opening tri-series game against Australia at the 'Gabba this weekend.

"I think he's going to be the man of the VB Series," said Arthur today ahead of the tourists' warm-up match against Queensland Academy of Sport in Brisbane today.

"Every test innings he played he got a start and he looked the part before getting out. That's what can happen.

"I've looked at his technique and been through it and there's no problem.

"He's been getting through the new ball every time which means his technique is sound. He just needs a big score and time in the middle."

Arthur scoffed at suggestions the burden of the captaincy during the test series had weighed heavily on Smith, 24.

"He's a strong man and he handles it (the captaincy)," Arthur said.

"I've got a lot of respect for him and so does the team.

"He's confident and he backs it up. He's a little distressed he didn't back it up with his own performances but he's strong and won't budge.

"I'm sure those performances are just around the corner."

Smith said it had been frustrating getting a start and seeing out the new ball only to be dismissed fairly cheaply.

But he was confident he could regain his golden touch from a one-day series against India in November when he scored 209 runs from four matches, including an unbeaten 134.

"My one-day form has been very good over the last year and I'm looking to carry it on from India," Smith said.

Smith hasn't been afraid to tackle the Australians head on, trading verbal barbs with several players, in particular Shane Warne, during a heated test series.

The pair shared a beer after the third test in Sydney but the relationship is anything but warm and fuzzy.

"I don't think there's a hatchet to bury," Smith said today.

"We had a beer after the game but once we get back on to that cricket field then it's all heated again.

"There's no animosity, there's no hatred. It doesn't get taken any further than it needs to on the cricket field."

Arthur said Andre Nel (foot injury) would be rested from today's match but Justin Kemp (shoulder), Ashwell Prince (thigh) and Charl Langeveldt (groin) were expected to play.

* The Proteas begin their VB series campaign with a match against hosts Australia in Brisbane on Sunday.

- AAP, HERALD ONLINE STAFF