PERTH. Feb 1: De-| spite the recur-' rence of a groin I injury, batsman I Michael Bevan is 1 expected to be fit to play this week's one-day tn-series mau.li against England. Australian captain Shane Warne said today, reports AFP.

Bevan made a successful return from the injury Sunday to spearhead Australia to a 45-run defeat of Sri Lanka at Perth's WACA ground.

Criticised in recent weeks for his perceived inability to hit boundaries. Bevan found the fence on four occasions on his way to a match-winning 72 not out off just 65 deliveries.

Bevan late felt a twinge in his groin while fielding and had to leave the field. Warne, said. But the captain was confident Bevan would be back for Friday's crucial match against England.

"He'll be fine for Friday." Warne said. "He just felt a little bit of twinge. We don't play until Friday, and having four days off helpshim,''

Australia's win ended Sri Lanka's hopes of making the finals of the triangular series af-ter the reigning world champion's innings finished on 229 with 21 balls remaining.

While loathe to change a whining formula. Warne said • there could be experimentation

during the remaining two games before the best of three finals series.

"We've got a good ijiipg going and should try to keep going." he said.

"But in the next couple of games.' guys like Casper (fast

bowler Michael Kasprowicz) and those sort of guys will probably get a game. Casper deserves a chance. he's been bowling weir."

Warne also praised the performance of Ricky Ponting, whose all-round performance was the" critical factor in the match. Ponting was returning from a three-match suspension after a brawl in a Sydney bar and his mood couldn't have been helped by a Sunday newspaper story which detailed claims by a well-known Sydney transvestite that he had been attempting to dance with her on the evening in question.

However, the 24-year-old put the incident behind him and produced a splendip all-round performance that earned him man-of-the-match honours.

Alter scoring 39 . in which he was dropped on four but also hit a splendid six. he made up for lost time with a tremendous effort in the field.

He notched one run-out with a trademark direct hit, took a spectacular catch and also bowled 10 well-controlled overs at a cost of 41 runs, taking the crucial wicket of Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga.