Lankans ready for Aussie bouncer repeat

Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne will urge his charges to fight fire with fire if Australia target them with short-pitched bowling in their World Cup clash on Saturday, despite their struggles during their recent Test tour down under.

The Sri Lankans endured a tough time against the bouncer during their 0-2 series defeat to Australia earlier this year, with two of their batters forced to retire hurt during the Canberra Test following blows to the helmet.

Karunaratne himself suffered the worst of the knocks, with the opener stretchered off Manuka Oval and sent to hospital after being struck on the neck by a Pat Cummins short ball.

The captain was cleared to bat again the following day but the carnage continued, with Karunantne coming back to the crease only after Kusal Perera retired hurt having been struck in the helmet by Jhye Richardson.

Dhananjaya de Silva was also hit in the helmet by a Mitchell Starc bouncer and hit his own stumps.

"I think we know they are going to go really hard against us, but the thing is, they can bowl only two bouncers (per over in 50-over games)," Karunaratne told reporters in London on Friday. "We have to be aware of those things.

"Some players, they can play the short balls really well. Some of them, they can't.

"But if you can think you can go for it, I will say to the players, 'yeah, go for it,' because we need runs, as well.

"Those are the plans we will discuss in the dressing room, (that's how) you're trying to do well against Australian bowling attack."

Starc and Cummins are expected to lead Australia's attack on Saturday and have not been shy about using the bouncer in recent games.

The short ball has been a key weapon for World Cup teams given many of the venues feature short straight boundaries, while it has also been an important wicket-taking option.

"If you (look at) the whole World Cup, short balls are a serious matter," said Karunaratne. "There are a lot of wickets, fast bowling taking lot of wicket from the bouncers."

Karunaratne was hopeful paceman Nuwan Pradeep would be right to play on Saturday after suffering a finger injury last week,

The skipper also said Lasith Malinga is expected to arrive back in London in time for the match after the slingy speedster returned back to Sri Lanka earlier in the week following the death of his mother-in-law.

The islanders have gone 11 days without playing a game following washouts against Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

But Karunaratne insisted the break hasn't affected their preparations for their match against Australia and noted a larger-than-usual turnout for their final training session at The Oval on Friday.

"We trained indoors and outdoors, and we did lots of the physical training," said the 31-year-old. "We can't control the weather.

"Unfortunately we couldn't play those two matches, but we are prepared for the Australia game, and today we have a practice.

"Normally today is an optional day, but we want to train harder for to play against the Australians, so that's why we are here." 

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