‘SCG could spin today’

Michael Clarke expects spin to play a role in Australia's World Cup showdown with Sri Lanka on a dry Sydney Cricket Ground pitch on Sunday.

The SCG is Australia captain Clarke's home ground and he believes Sunday's pitch will play differently to the one on which South Africa smashed 408 for five against the West Indies on February 27.

"It looks like spin is going to play a part. It looks quite dry and certainly hasn't got as much grass on it as I've seen in past one-day matches at the SCG," Clarke told reporters on Saturday.

The Australians may call up designated spinner Xavier Doherty for his first match of the tournament and can also call on Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith and Clarke to share the spin duties.