The much-awaited Australia tour of Sri Lanka starts in earnest on Friday, when the first ODI gets underway at Dambulla

The much-awaited Australia tour of Sri Lanka starts in earnest on Friday, when the first ODI gets underway at Dambulla

The much-awaited Australia tour of Sri Lanka starts in earnest on Friday, when the first ODI gets underway at Dambulla

The much-awaited Australia tour of Sri Lanka starts in earnest on Friday, when the first ODI gets underway at Dambulla

The much-awaited Australia tour of Sri Lanka starts in earnest on Friday, when the first ODI gets underway at Dambulla

Hashan Tillakaratne has been retained as Sri Lanka's Test captain for the forthcoming series against Australia, despite widespread criticism of his attritional leadership style during the recent series win against England

Hashan Tillakaratne has been retained as Sri Lanka's Test captain for the forthcoming series against Australia, despite widespread criticism of his attritional leadership style during the recent series win against England

Thilanga Sumathipala, the president of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), faces an anxious week

Thilanga Sumathipala, the president of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), faces an anxious week

Marvan Atapattu, Sri Lanka's vice-captain, has strenuously denied any connection with a 11 lakh (GBP£7000) sum of money that is alleged to have been found in his hotel after the second Test in Kandy

Marvan Atapattu, Sri Lanka's vice-captain, has strenuously denied any connection with a sum of money that is alleged to have been found in his hotel after the second Test in Kandy

Marvan Atapattu, Sri Lanka's opening batsman, split the webbing of his left hand while catching Gareth Batty, and may not bat in the Sri Lanka first innings

Marvan Atapattu, Sri Lanka's opening batsman, spilt the webbing of his left hand while catching Gareth Batty, and may not bat in the Sri Lanka first innings

After another compelling final day of unremitting tension, the prisoners-turned-groundstaff at the Asgiriya International Stadium trooped back to their grim jailhouse until the next hill-country match

Charlie Austin on Nasser Hussain's verbal broadside

Muttiah Muralitharan admits England have learned how to play his bowling ..

There can be no more persuasive case for the revitalising power of a good holiday than the first ODI against England

Sri Lanka's selectors have included Dinusha and Dilhara Fernando in a 15-man squad for the opening Test against England, which starts next week

Sri Lanka's selectors have included Dinusha and Dilhara Fernando in a 15-man squad for the opening Test against England, which starts next week

Russel Arnold will have a chance to impress Sri Lanka's selectors, who will now be mulling over selection for the Test squad, when he captains a Sri Lanka Cricket President's XI against England next week