Oz have history to play for

Warne ‘‘is bowling really well at the moment and he’ll get every chance in this game to keep doing that, to keep taking plenty of wickets,’’ Ponting told reporters today. ‘‘If he bowls as well as he has been, then he’s a huge chance,’’ of beating Walsh’s record.

‘‘We won’t be playing around with individual performances if there’s a game in the balance,’’ Ponting added. But, ‘‘if the chance comes up then surely he’ll keep bowling, no matter how tired he is, if he’s getting close.’’

Lanka captain Hashan Tillakaratne said, “Thilan Samaraweera has recovered from a groin strain and is an option to bat at no 3.”

The Sri Lankan selectors were also contemplating using three pace bowlers to complement Muralitharan’s spin, he said.