Ryan Harris wants Australia to intimidate Sri Lanka with verbal pressure
Traditionally, the art of sledging and riling up opposition players have been an integral part of Australian cricket. Even though they are now away from their comfort zone, former speedster Ryan Harris has backed Steven Smith’s troops to continue the verbal barrage in Sri Lanka as well.
Speaking to SEN, the 36-year old wanted the Aussies to test the temperament of a Sri Lankan side which is in the midst of a grueling transition period. Aside from skipper Angelo Mathews and the wily Rangana Herath, none of their other members have played over 50 Tests.
Harris quipped, “They're a very young side so I think our guys will put a bit of pressure on them to put them under the pump. It's something they might try and come back at and we deal with it pretty well. So it'll be interesting to see how they do deal with it.”
However, the pacer admitted that Mathews’ phlegmatic approach towards the game could stand in Australia’s plans. Harris added, “They've got a good leader in Angelo Mathews so I'm sure they're preparing for a bit of verbal pressure.”
Also Read: Sri Lanka vs Australia – 5 key player battles to watch out for
Meanwhile, Peter Siddle claimed that the visitors would feel the heat through spinner Steven O’Keefe’s presence. Though the left-armer has only 2 Test caps, the seamer alluded to his reputation in Australia’s tough domestic circuit.
“We hear enough of that in Shield games, he never stops talking. It's nice to have him on the Australian side now. You're happy to have a bloke who will keep chirping all day. I think the Sri Lankans will get sick of that,” Siddle told cricket.com.au’s Unplayable Podcast.
With the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy up for grabs, the 3-match series begins in Pallekele from 26th onwards before the action shifts to Galle and then Colombo.