Sri Lanka cling to hope

Despite their narrow defeat by India in their last match, Sri Lanka can still reach the final of the CB Series, though to do it they will need to start winning and winning soon, beginning with Friday's match against Australia at the MCG.

Beating Australia is difficult enough even on grounds where they don't have the best record, but at the MCG it's even better with the likes of Matt Hayden probably itching to get at the Sri Lanka bowling attack.

Sri Lanka haven't played badly in this series but they have lost a couple of tight ones that could easily have gone their way, leaving them facing a big battle to make the final of the triangular series.

Bet365 make Australia 1/4 favourites, while Sri Lanka are 11/4, which is probably fair enough given what's passed in the series to date.

If they are going to stand any chance of winning this match, though, Kumar Sangakkara is going to need some help in making a sizeable score. His hundred against India was a superb effort but eventually one that was in vain as Yuvraj and then Dhoni finished off the run chase.

The left-hander continues to produce superb effort after superb effort but he can't do it on his own. Bet365 make him 5/2 favourite to top-score again, with Mahela Jayawardene 7/2 and Sanath Jayasuriya 4/1.

Upul Tharanga is 9/2 and Tillekeratne Dilshan 5/1, with Chamara Silva 6/1 and Dilruwan Perera 13/2.

For Australia, Hayden, Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting all share favouritism at 7/2 - though of these, Ponting has been struggling for top form lately - while Michael Clarke is 4/1.

Andrew Symonds is a 6/1 bet, Michael Hussey 7/1 and Brad Haddin 8/1.

On the face of it, Hayden and Gilchrist would look to be a shoo-in to have the better opening partnership in this match, but Sri Lanka will be going for it, so take a punt and take them at 5/4 to see off their opposite numbers.