The uncertainty surrounding the shape of Australia's limited-overs team intensified yesterday when stand-in captain Adam Gilchrist raised the possibility that Ricky Ponting could miss not one but two matches under the contentious policy of resting players.
Neither Gilchrist nor Ponting's replacement, Brad Hodge, has been told how long the captain's mid-series hiatus will be, and a Cricket Australia spokesman said that would be determined when selectors met after tonight's match to review the squad for the next game, also against Sri Lanka, in Perth on Sunday.
"We have a lot of respect for the opposition, and the fact they've got up and beaten us twice in the last four games is something that's weighing very heavily on our minds," said public affairs manager Peter Young. "At the same time we have a responsibility to manage player workloads and the view is over the fullness of time we will win more matches if we keep our star players in peak condition, and that's part of what's happening at the moment."
Gilchrist revealed he did not know how long he would be required to captain the team in addition to his wicketkeeping and opening duties. He also defended the policy, saying he felt rejuvenated after his week-long break and ready to improve his form.
If Ponting misses Sunday's match as well as today's Australia Day fixture, he will not play again until next Friday at Telstra Dome.
"It's a matter of just keeping the ship pointed in the right direction until Ricky comes back," Gilchrist said. "Hopefully he's going to be able to relax for a few days, he's had a huge workload and the runs he's scored and the way he's led the team has been tremendous. He deserves a little bit of a break.
"I'm not too sure of that [the length of Ponting's rest], maybe two games. I'm not sure if he's going to try and get a week off."
South African captain Graeme Smith questioned the wisdom of resting the Australian captain at a time when the home team was in danger of missing the finals.
"Finding the right time is crucial. Obviously the series is tight now, whether that's the right time, that's the question they need to ask themselves," Smith said.
"It's a game for them coming up on Thursday. The wicket's dry already and it's going to suit Sri Lanka's game … Who knows, Australia could be the team that misses out [on the finals], a lot things can happen now."
- CHLOE SALTAU and ALEX BROWN