CANBERRA: Australia finally have the chance to bring some cheers to their fans after an egregious 2018 when Tim Paine’s men take on Sri Lanka here at the Manuka Oval from Friday with a Test series victory beckoning the beleaguered hosts.

The 4-0 Ashes victory in 2017-18 seems like a distant past for an Australian side who have since been beaten away by South Africa and Pakistan and lost their first ever home series to India earlier this month.

The tumultuous trip to South Africa not only resulted in a 3-1 drubbing for Australia, but they also lost their two best batsmen in captain Steve Smith and his deputy David Warner due to a ball-tampering scandal.

Australia beat Sri Lanka by an innings and 40 runs in Brisbane for only their second Test victory of the summer and the hosts are determined not to take their foot off the pedal in the second and final Test.

“We had a great game in Brisbane but I think we can get better,” Australia spinner Nathan Lyon told reporters on Wednesday. “We know Sri Lanka is going to come back hard, they are a classy outfit, a well-drilled outfit. We are expecting them to come back hard.”

Sri Lanka have lost all-rounder Angelo Mathews and paceman Nuwan Pradeep through injuries even before the first test and their bid to level the series has been jolted with fast bowlers Lahiru Kumara and Dushmantha Chameera also joining them in the sidelines.

Sri Lanka have call up 22-year-old paceman Chamika Karunaratne but their pace attack has already been robbed of much of its firepower.

The tourists also faced off-field issues ahead of the second Test after coach Chandika Hathurusingha was dropped from the selection panel while batting coach Jon Lewis has left for home to attend a family matter.

Lyon said the hosts were happy with their preparation as they head into the clash at Manuka Oval, which is making its debut as a test venue.

“It’s an exciting group, there’s lot of intensity at training. Our preparation for every Test this summer has been outstanding,” said Lyon, who spent four years from 2006-2010 at the venue as a curator.

“Obviously India outplayed us. But we knew coming up to Brisbane, if we had our solid preparation, ticked all the boxes that we can control then hopefully we will get the result.”

Meanwhile, Lyon defended Mitchell Starc ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka, saying criticism of the paceman’s recent struggles was “unfair”.

Starc has long been Australia’s main strike bowler but has suffered a lacklustre summer, taking just 15 wickets at 36.46 in five Tests.

“I don’t understand all the criticism, to be honest,” Lyon said, according to cricket.com.au.

“He has 200 Test wickets, so if anyone can get 200 Test wickets you must know what you are doing... Mitch has got all of my support and everyone’s support in that change room, so it is pretty unfair criticism in my eyes.”

Former national selector Mark Waugh on Wednesday became the latest Australian Test veteran to chide Starc, saying the 29-year-old “needs to get his act together and start getting some wickets” or risk replacement.

“I think as the season’s got longer his form has actually dropped off even more,” Waugh told Sky Sports Radio. “He’s got to start getting some wickets and getting some balls in the right areas.”

Meanwhile all eyes have been on Marcus Stoinis after he was called into the extended squad for the second Test in Canberra, taking over Mitchell Marsh’s all-rounder spot.

Stoinis, who has been in good white-ball form, told reporters Tuesday he would “look to play my natural game” if given his Test debut.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2019