Sri Lanka to test Aussies

Champions and favourites Australia have cruised to victory in their five matches in the Super Eights but they could be tested for the first time in this World Cup when they take on Sri Lanka in Grenada on Monday.

The Aussies are 4/11 favourites to triumph while Sri Lanka are 7/4, which looks a tempting price on one of the few really in-form sides in the competition.

The Sri Lankan players have shown themselves to be contenders with some excellent performances, using their stack of experience to good effect. Their main batsmen are all firing while Muttiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas have led the bowling attack superbly.

Things will not be quite so easy against the Australians but Ricky Ponting's side will be wary of their opponents as they jostle for position in the Super Eights having already sealed their places in the last four.

Australia have won 41 of their 62 meetings with Sri Lanka, including seven of the past 10, which should give them plenty of confidence, as if they need it.

The Aussies are sure to be aggressive against the Sri Lanka attack and the first 10 overs are likely to be crucial. If Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist fail, then Sri Lanka have a decent chance and they are 11/10 to outscore Australia in those first 10 overs, which is not a bad bet.

Captain Ricky Ponting is the 11/4 (3.75) favourite to be Australia's top runscorer, with Hayden and Gilchrist 7/2. Michael Clarke, who has not received as much praise as the others but has been in just as good form, is 11/2.

The old warhorse, Sanath Jayasuriya, tops the betting for Sri Lanka at 10/3, with KUmar Sangakkara and his captain Mahela Jayawardene next at 7/2 and Upul Tharanga 5/1.

Ponting looks in great form and he is 4/5 to score 44 or more points in bet365's player performance markets, which award 20 per wicket, 10 per catch and one per run. He is well capable of getting that with the bat alone but catches seem to be going his way in the field, which makes it an even better bet.