Aussies likely to be too good

Sri Lanka may have beaten India to get themselves into the CB series but don't expect them to get the better of Australia when they play each other in the next match, on Friday. The Aussies will not want any more slip-ups and that spells trouble for the Sri Lankans.

India's joy at beating the Australians a couple of matches ago will be tempered by the knowledge that wounded Aussies are a dangerous group. Though there is plenty of time to pick themselves up and win the triangular series, Ricky Ponting's side will want to start building momentum.

Sri Lanka have had some success in the past against Australia - Sanath Jayasuriya loves playing against them - but they will undoubtedly be up against it in Perth, where the wicket will surely offer plenty for the home side's quick bowlers, especially Brett Lee, who continues to bowl superbly.

Strangely, the WACA is not one of their most successful one-day grounds, but I really doubt they will be too worried about that and bet365 seem to agree, making Australia 2/9 (1.22) to win the match while Sri Lanka are 5/2 (3.50).

On a quick pitch, with the ball coming onto the bat, expect Australia's openers to love batting at the WACA. Matt Hayden and captain Ponting are both 3/1 favourites, but I prefer the price of Adam Gilchrist at 9/2. On his home ground, the left-hander will like nothing more than smashing a quick hundred in what is his last international series.

Behind them, Michael Clarke is 11/2 and Andrew Symonds 13/2, while Michael Hussey is 7/1 and Brad Haddin 8/1, but I expect the top runscorer to come from the top three in the betting.

For Sri Lanka, captain Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara share favouritism at 3/1 but again I prefer the chances of Jayasuriya. The veteran opener can take the attack to any side and if he gets going, then 7/2 is a pretty fair price.

In-form Tillekeratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga are both 9/2, with Chamara Silva, talented but inconsistent, a 6/1 chance.

Australia have yet to really make a big opening partnership in this series but this could be the match for it, and 8/13 for them to make a bigger stand than their Sri Lankan counterparts looks fair.