Smith rested; Warner to lead Australia against Sri Lanka

The five-ODI series between Australia and Sri Lanka has been leveled at 1-1 and David Warner, the stand-in skipper of the visitors, has a huge task ahead of him to help his side win the series.

Australia's regular captain, Steven Smith has decided to fly back to rest ahead of the 2016-17 summer. Warner, who made his 50-overs debut in 2009 at Hobart, will be the 32nd Australian captain in the ODIs.

However, the explosive opener has been in poor form in this tour so far. He could manage only 163 runs in the three Tests Australia played earlier this month. Getting into the one-day series, he has scores of eight and one from the first two ODIs. 

Following a whitewash in the three-Test series, the Australians finally registered a victory in the first ODI. James Faulkner's 4-for and Mitchell Starc's 3-for helped the visitors to restrict the hosts at 227 in 50 overs. In reply, the Australian chase was set up by Matthew Wade's 76 off 88 balls that helped Smith and Co chase down the target with 19 balls and three wickets to spare.

The Sri Lankans hit back in the second match, thrashing the World No. 1 by 82 runs to equalise the five-match series after the second game. 

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Meanwhile, Smith, in order to do well in the later stages of the year, has made the tough decision of leaving the tour mid-way. “I hate missing cricket, but in the long run, it will do me the world of good. The schedule is very busy. I still want to take on the role in all three formats and do it to the best of my ability,” Smith was quoted by Cricket Australia. 

Australia has a hectic schedule coming up after their Sri Lankan tour. They are set to face South Africa, New Zealand and Pakistan in the remaining of the year.