Following an impressive 125-run win inside four years at Galle, Australia can roll up a series victory over Sri Lanka when the endorsement Test starts in Kandy on Thursday.
The visitors seized the upper hand on a surface described as a dustbowl, but the early indication is the Pallekele International Stadium pitch looks a more traditional cricket wicket.
Australia have shown their reach by making good the one forced change to the starting XI that got the job done in the series opener.
Shaun Marsh, the son of old vice-captain Geoff, will do his Screen debut as a substitute for Ricky Ponting, who returned home for the nativity of his second child.
The 28-year-old comes in as a straight swap for the old captain at No.3, which has been seen as something of a surprise, considering Usman Khawaja had filled the purpose in his Screen debut last January when Ponting was last absent.
The Western Australian left-hander is eagerly anticipating donning the baggy green cap for the start time.
"It`s an exciting few days coming up, it`s a dream to play Test cricket, Test cricket`s the pinnacle," Marsh said.
Marsh becomes the fifth debutant to have during Clarke`s captaincy career, and if recent account is any guide, he should handle Test cricket with aplomb.
The two most recent debutants - Nathan Lyon and Trent Copeland did precisely that in Galle.
The match played junior representative cricket alongside one another in country New South Wales and could never have imagined such a dreaming go to their international careers.
Lyon, who capped a remarkable rise from Adelaide Oval groundsman to enumerate one spinner in less than 12 months, became only the 2nd Australian bowler to get a lattice with his first ball in Test cricket.
The victim - Sri Lanka`s best batsman, Kumar Sangakkara.
The 23-year-old from Young showed it was no fluke by going onto take 5-34 from 15 overs in the 1st innings and added another in the second dig to close with match figures of 6-107.
Copeland`s initial contribution came with the bat, hitting the inaugural ball he faced at Test level for a boundary.
Ironically the inaugural ball he bowled also went for four, but his second delivered the Bathurst product a first Test scalp in Sri Lankan skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan.
While Dilshan proved Copeland`s lone scalp on debut, the tall right-arm paceman bowled with the subject he`s famous for at first-class level, conceding just 44 runs from 28 overs.
Copeland complemented an Australian attack that all chipped in for the cause.
Ryan Harris continues to read why he is such a valuable member of the team when fit, claiming a match-winning 5-62 in the 2nd innings.
Mitchell Johnson claimed a pair of wickets, while Shane Watson`s all-round abilities were on record with match figures of 5-30.
Watson, who missed out with the bat (22 and a golden duck), was capable to enervate the internal side`s middle order with his reverse swing.
Runs were certainly difficult to do by in Galle, making Michael Hussey`s 95 in the 1st innings even more important.
Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin spoke about the visitors` fight with the bat in the 1st test.
"I suppose it shows small steps forward, we`re trying to go forward as a cricket team and be better cricketers," Haddin said.
"To do that you`ve got to work in different conditions whether it`s here, England, South Africa, wherever, you`ve got to make sure
Source: http://sportal.com.au/news-display/aussies-out-to-seal-series-137177
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