BRISBANE, Jan 17: Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene called the game’s ruling body on Thursday for an end to experimental fielding restrictions in one-day cricket, saying they discourage risk-taking.

On the eve of the third One-day International against Australia, the veteran batsman said the new laws allowing a maximum of four fielders outside the circle from the 11th over to the 40th encouraged negative play.

“The spinners are being taken away from the game, to be honest,” he said. “Most of the spinners are being very negative now. They are bowling overs aiming for fewer runs rather than trying to take wickets and use their variety,” Jayawardene said.

“Unless you are a top spinner and use a lot of variety, you can survive while the rest will struggle and be negative in their approach.”

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is testing the restrictions over the next 12 months, as well as trialling a provision for two new white balls at either end and two bouncers per over.

Jayawardene, who has played 388 ODIs, said spinners were far more likely to bowl quicker and flatter rather than tossing the ball up to try to get a wicket because of the lack of extra fielders in the deep.

Sri Lanka, who won by eight wickets on Sunday in Adelaide, will give wicket-keeper/batsman Dinesh Chandimal a late fitness test before the day-night game at the Gabba.

Meanwhile, Australia are sweating on the fitness of all-rounder Moises Henriques, who was struck in the finger in the nets on Thursday, with either fast bowler Ben Cutting or spinning all-rounder Glenn Maxwell the replacement choices.

If Cutting is called up to play his second One-day International at his home Gabba ground, it is highly unlikely he would play for the Brisbane Heat against the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash final on Saturday.

Cutting should know his fate early on Friday as scans have cleared Henriques of a broken finger and Australia is waiting until match morning to make a call on whether the 25-year-old plays.

“He got hit on Wednesday when bowling. I actually straight drove one back and he got his finger on it so it was a little bit sore but it was fine. And as you've seen, batting in the nets on Thursday, he got hit again,” Australian captain Michael Clarke said.

Henriques had been called up to play his first ODI in more than three years, with the chance to mount a case not only to be a limited-overs all-rounder but a Test one.

Sri Lanka and Australia are all square 1-1 in the five-match series with the hosts winning the opening game in Melbourne by 107 runs.

Likely teams: AUSTRALIA: Phil Hughes, David Warner, Michael Clarke (captain), George Bailey, David Hussey, Matthew Wade, Ben Cutting, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Clint McKay, Xavier Doherty.

SRI LANKA: Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Lahiru Thirimanne, Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis.

Umpires: Paul Reiffel (Australia) and Richard Kettleborough (England).

TV umpire: Marais Erasmus (South Africa).

Match referee: Javagal Srinath (India).—Agencies