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White: We are well prepared

Image: White: Third game in charge

Cameron White has dismissed thoughts that T20 victory over Sri Lanka will help inspire a turnaround in Australia's Test fortunes.

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Skipper believes that revival will take time

Cameron White has dismissed thoughts that victory in the two-match Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka will be important in inspiring a turnaround in Australia's ailing Test fortunes. Australia begin their anticipated tour of Sri Lanka with two Twenty20s in Pallekele, starting on Saturday. A one-day series follows before three Tests that herald a new beginning for the Antipodeans under the captaincy of Michael Clarke and with a largely unheralded squad at his disposal. With that in mind, there is some thought that Australia need to begin the tour on the front foot in the shorter formats.

Prescribe

White does not prescribe to such thinking, however, as he instead looks to prepare for just his third game in charge of the Twenty20 team. "If Australia was to win a Test series, that could be the start of something that was a good Test run I guess," White said. "(But) I'm not sure whether you can get aura or something like that back in just one match or one series." White's side drew the two-game series against England in January, his first in charge, and believes his first away trip in charge can be successful. "What we have done over the past few days is have some very good training sessions," he added. "Before we left Australia we got some good match-situation practice in, so I think by the time Saturday comes around, we've got two days in Kandy, and I think we'll be very well prepared for not only the two Twenty20 games but the series ahead."

Tough

Sri Lanka will be without injured quick Lasith Malinga and after a tough tour of England the spotlight will also fall on how the hosts react. All-rounder Angelo Mathews expects that will bring the best out of his side as well as new skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan, whose leadership endured a baptism of fire in England. "He is a very positive player when he goes into bat and he always tries to dominate the bowler. He will be a very good captain," said Mathews. "The Australians are always a very formidable team and we need to play really well to beat them."

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