Australian captain Michael Clarke lavished praise on batsman Peter Forrest ahead of the host's ODI game against Sri Lanka at the WACA here on Friday.
Clarke said Forrest was a “very gifted player, a very good batsman and a good fielder. He has the potential to play Test cricket too. Foz (Forrest) has a very good technique. He's a wonderful talent and could play a big part in the Australian cricket moving forward.”
The Australian captain, on Thursday, gave definite indications that the 26-year-old former New South Welshman would make his ODI debut on Friday. “Foz has been pretty successful for Queensland this season. He's already looking at how the other guys are going about their work in the changing room. On how we go about our work and train. “
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Clarke added, “If Foz (Forrest) gets an opportunity, he should grab it with both hands.”
Responding to his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahela Jayawardene's comments that the Australian bowling could be ‘exploited,' Clarke sounded cautious. “That's his opinion. In any case, we are not concerned about what others think of us. I am more focussed on our own preparation, execution.”
Speaking on the Aussie pace attack, Jayawardene observed, “Ryan (Harris) has come back from injury, he is a decent bowler. They (the Aussies) are still missing some first choice pacemen due to injuries.”
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Jayawardene said his side, “would try to be on top of the game, try to finish the game. They have a strong batting and we need to pick wickets.”
The Sri Lankan skipper added, “We know what their strengths are. We know what our strengths are. We know what we have to do.”