ADELAIDE, Feb 18: Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene called on his batsmen to show more patience and take advantage of what he said was an inconsistent Australia in the tri-series.

The Sri Lankans face India here at the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday with Jayawardene admitting the two touring sides were already fighting for the right to play hosts Australia in the finals.

“Now it’s become like a two-horse race to get into the finals,” Jayawardene said.

“We’ve been inconsistent with the bat, the bowlers have lifted the mark, but we haven’t batted well at all.”

Jayawardene said his team’s batsmen needed to display more patience.

“One needs to spend more time at the wicket and wait for an opportunity.

“It’s not easy to score runs quickly but rather you need to work your way in the innings.

“We need to keep wickets in hand and bat well and not to have too many negative thoughts going.”

Despite Australia’s dominance, Jayawardene reiterated his belief that the home side were not at their brilliant best.

“We are not pushing the advantage. Australia haven’t played good cricket – they’ve not been consistent to be precise,” he said.

“They used to be very consistent, but not nowadays. I don’t think the two other teams are capitalising on their weaknesses and both the teams should have won against them.

“Their experience and bowling have pulled them out of troubled situations.”

But Australian coach Tim Nielsen hit at the touring Indians and Sri Lankans by telling them on Monday to worry about their own form instead of concerning themselves with the home side’s performances.

Nielsen was responding to claims from both that the Australians were struggling, despite being the clear leader on the tri-series ladder.

Jayawardene once again said on Monday that he believed cracks were appearing in Australia’s game, while Indian opener Virender Sehwag claimed twice in recent weeks the home side was running scared of his team.

“At the moment I’m quite interested to hear how much the opposition are talking about us, to be honest,” Nielsen said.

“I hear Jayawardene say the other day we’re falling off the perch... and India are commenting on the fact Brett Lee’s not playing – I quite like that they’re concerned about us and not worrying about themselves.

“We’ve got enough issues going on with our own game that I’m not really too worried with how they’re going.”

While Nielsen admitted that his batsmen were not on top form, he said the bowling in the series from all three teams had been top-notch.

“You’ve got four or five guys in this series bowling 140-145 kilometres (87-90 miles) per hour plus, the new ball’s swinging away, the old ball’s reversing in – it’s not an easy life for a batsman,” Nielsen said.

“Our challenge is to make sure we identify that, come to terms with what they’re delivering to us, and find ways of coping.

“It’s certainly not panic stations.”—AFP