Hambantota, Sri Lanka, Aug 15 : Australian captain Michael Clarke says his batsmen are starting to read Sri Lanka's spinners better and he's hopeful his side can take a third straight match in their one-day international series.
Clarke told reporters after winning Sunday's second match that his batsmen have begun picking up the tricks of the Sri Lankan spinners following his side's two losses in Twenty20 matches earlier this month.
Ajantha Mendis became the first bowler in Twenty20 cricket to take six wickets in Sri Lanka's second victory against Australia, but the visitors have played much better against him in the one-day internationals.
“Sri Lanka have very good spinners. Just about all their spinners can spin the ball both ways so I think we are getting better as a batting group,” Clarke said.
Clarke said Australia's two ODI wins are just a start and his young team still has much improving to do.
“I would like it to be three in a row, that would be fantastic. We have got off to a good start and the boys are playing well, but we have to be at our best every game,” he said.
Sri Lankan captain Tillakaratne Dilshan, meanwhile, said his batsmen need to start producing more runs after scoring just 191 and 208 runs in the team's first two ODI defeats, respectively.
“Everyone is learning with every match. We have to come back strong in the next match. Our batsmen must take responsibility,” Dilshan said.
The teams play their third match in Hambantota on Tuesday. AP
