DAMBULLA, Feb 19: Sri Lanka hope to silence Australia's devastating batting line-up with a pack of spinners in the five-match one-day series beginning here on Friday.

The hosts have named four specialist spinners in their 15-member squad for the day-night match at this Buddhist venue known for producing low-scoring games.

Australia's free-stroking batsmen could find it difficult on the low, slow pitch at the Rangiri Stadium where the highest score remains 203 in the nine one-dayers so far played.

Worse, Sri Lanka has never been a happy hunting ground for the world champions, who have won just three of their 14 one-dayers. Sri Lankan captain Marvan Atapattu hoped the overdose of spin produced the desired result.

"I think the conditions (hot and humid weather and slow pitches) are going to surprise them," Atapattu said. "Playing on home soil and in front of our own crowd will be our greatest strength."

Leg-spinner Kaushal Lokuarachchi returned to the Sri Lankan team after serving a four-month disciplinary ban for his alleged involvement in a car accident. He joins spinners Muttiah Muralitharan, Kumar Dharmasena and Upul Chandana to give his captain more bowling options against the formidable opponents.

The encouraging news for Australia was Michael Bevan's return to fitness after skipping a warm-up game on Tuesday. Bevan, regarded as the game's best finisher, missed his team's last three matches in the recent home series against India and Zimbabwe due to a rib injury.

"He is fine in terms of batting. That's not a great concern," said Australian coach John Buchanan. Australian captain Ricky Ponting said he did not believe his team was vulnerable to spin, especially after winning a tri-series in India last year in virtually the same conditions.

"We don't worry too much about conditions," Ponting said. "I think we have improved a lot after what we have recently done in the sub-continent. I think the guys have taken a lot of confidence from that. We are confident we can play good cricket while we are here."

The second match will also be played in Dambulla, while the remaining three will be held in Colombo. Three Tests are also scheduled after the one-day series.

Teams (from):