Uncertain Aussie batters face wily Lankan spinners

Former champions Sri Lanka will look to exploit Australia's top-order woes when they clash in a group 1 Super 12 match of the ICC T20 World Cup on Thursday.

Sri Lanka, who had won the title in 2014, topped group A with three successive wins before outwitting Bangladesh by five wickets in their first Super 12 match.

On the other hand, the Aussies, who are yet to win the T20 World Cup, scampered home in the last over against South Africa after being reduced to 38 for 3 while chasing a modest 118 in their opening match.

Skipper Aaron Finch made a duck, while David Warner, who is going through a tough time, too was out cheaply once again and Mitchell Marsh also found the going tough.

Warner, however, laughed off concerns about his form on his 35th birthday on Wednesday but said he had reverted to practising on synthetic wickets and polished concrete to sharpen his batting.

Warner scored 14 in the opening win over South Africa after managing scores of 1 and 0 in practice matches against India and New Zealand.

"I actually think people talking about my form is quite funny," he told reporters. "I laugh at the matter because at the end of the day I've played hardly any cricket."

Meanwhile, the tricky and slow UAE wickets not supporting the power-hitters in the T20 World Cup, Australia batter Steve Smith is willing to change his batting order in the "scrappy" tournament to suit the requirement of his side.

Almost all teams have struggled to go past 150-run mark so far in the ongoing World Cup as the pitches are not conducive for stroke-making.

Smith, who usually bats at number three, said he is aware of the different requirement and won't mind if he needs to drop down a bit, if situation demands.

However, the presence of quality spinners in the Lankan ranks could prove to be a tricky proposition for the struggling Australian batters.

The availability of Maheesh Theekshana, who missed the win over Bangladesh owing to an injury, could boost the team's morale as he has the wares to trouble the Aussie batters, who are not so comfortable against slow stuff.

Leg-spinning all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga could be more than a handful for the opposition batting unit and how he goes could well determine how the encounter pans out.

On the other hand, flamboyant opener Kusal Perera can be dangerous but would be tested by Hazlewood & Co.