'The present Australian team are unimpressive' - Arjuna Ranatunga

Arjuna Ranatunga, the former Sri Lankan captain and serial Warne-baiter, has labeled Shane Warne as a potential liability for the forthcoming Test series against Sri Lanka and described Australia's current team as "unimpressive."

In an interview with Australia newspapers, Ranatunga, now a politician, believes Sri Lanka's batsmen have little to fear if, as expected, Warne is named in Australia's Test squad on Friday for the first time since a one-year drugs ban.

"I feel that they will struggle, especially under these conditions," Ranatunga is quoted as saying. "The present Australian team are unimpressive, when you look at the teams they used to have with the Waughs and Glenn McGrath."

"Sri Lankan sides are quite good with spin ... and Warne might have an issue here. Warne has been out a long time and he might struggle to get through the Sri Lankan batting line-up." Ranatunga added, "The Australian spin attack is not impressive at all when you see that we have Murali and others on our side."

Ranatunga had made a pastime out of baiting Warne ever since, on the eve of the 1999 World Cup, Warne suggested that the Sri Lankan team would be better off without Ranatunga.

Ranatunga urged Sri Lanka's current team to stand up to Australia in the field. "I don't know about this team but we used to feel when we gave it [verbally] back to the Australians they would crumble. I was one person who was always against sledging but that was how it seemed. I'm not sure what this [Sri Lankan] team will do."