Australia bat, Brett Lee returns

Toss Australia chose to bat v Sri Lanka

Xavier Doherty recovered well from back spasms and retained his place in the side © Getty Images

Australia's stand-in captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and chose to bat first against Sri Lanka in the triangular series ODI at the SCG. Brett Lee proved he was fit enough at training, after suffering a broken toe, to take his place in the XI, while Xavier Doherty shrugged off back spasms to keep his place ahead of the standby spin of the Victorian Jon Holland.

Michael Hussey has returned to the team after being rested from the Adelaide match, taking the place of the injured captain Michael Clarke. Clarke's absence also means another match for the middle order batsman Peter Forrest, at his former home ground before leaving New South Wales to join Queensland in the winter.

Sri Lanka dropped the opener Upul Tharanga and the spinner Sachithra Senanayake, their places being taken by Lahiru Thrimanne and Farveez Maharoof. The visiotrs need a win to keep pace with Australia and India in the series standings, and have the advantage of knowing they have won five of their past seven matches at the SCG.

Australia 1 David Warner, 2 Matthew Wade (wk), 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Peter Forrest, 5 Michael Hussey, 6 David Hussey, 7 Daniel Christian, 8 Brett Lee, 9 Clint McKay, 10 Mitchell Starc, 11 Xavier Doherty.

Sri Lanka 1 Lahiru Thirimanne, 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Dinesh Chandimal, 5 Mahela Jayawardene (capt), 6 Angelo Mathews, 7 Thisara Perera, 8 Nuwan Kulasekara, 9, 10 Lasith Malinga, 11 Rangana Herath.