Sri Lanka will host Australia in the 2-matches Test series starting from January 29th at Galle. The series marks the conclusion of the World Test Championship league cycle with the final set to be played at Lord’s in June.
A prolific run-scorer, who scored 1451 runs across formats at an average of just above 50 💥
Sri Lanka’s star on the rise has taken out the ICC Emerging Men’s Cricketer of the Year Award 🇱🇰 pic.twitter.com/qIrRy5Kpif
— ICC (@ICC) January 26, 2025
Match Details:
Sri Lanka vs Australia, 1st Test
Venue: Galle International Stadium, Galle
Date & Time: January 29-February 02 at 10:00 AM IST and Local Time
Live Streaming: FanCode
What is the Pitch Report for SL vs AUS, 1st Test?
Spin will do magic in this part of the world as both teams prefer to field limited seaming options. The batters must possess an extraordinary level of skill to counter the spin and need to have a lot of patience to post huge scores. Sri Lanka holds an exceptional record at the venue, winning 7 of the last 10 Tests played.
Recent form:
Sri Lanka: Lost, Lost, Won, Won, Won
Australia: Won, Won, Draw, Won, Lost
SL vs AUS, 1st Test Probable Winners:
Sri Lanka are expected to win this match.
What is the Expected, Probable Playing XIs for SL vs AUS, 1st Test?
Sri Lanka
Dimuth Karunaratne, Lahiru Udara / Oshada Fernando / Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Matthews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Kusal Mendis (wk), Milan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Nishan Peiris, Lahiru Kumara / Asitha Fernando.
Australia
Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith (c), Sam Konstas / Cooper Conolly / Nathan McSweeney, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Matthew Kuhnemann, Todd Murphy / Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon.
The Aussies are prepared to tackle any new challenges #AUSvSL https://t.co/659egIutfh
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 27, 2025
Injury Updates:
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka is nursing a groin strain and is doubtful for the 1st Test.
Australia: Matthew Kuhnemann is available for selection after recovering from a dislocated thumb injury.
What are the Fantasy Cricket Top Picks, Players for SL vs AUS, 1st Test?
Top Pick – Batter
Dimuth Karunaratne will be taking the field for his 99th Test match on Wednesday. He has scored 7165 runs in 187 innings at an average of 39.8 with a top score of 244.
Top Pick – All-Rounder
Kamindu Mendis was awarded the ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year for 2024 for his stellar performances with the bat. The 26-year-old southpaw finished as the leading run-scorer for Sri Lanka in Test last year with an aggregate of 1049 runs in 9 matches at an average of 74.92.
Top Pick – Bowler
Prabath Jayasuriya is a quality spinner who bowls consistently from one end. In his 18 Tests, he bagged 107 wickets with the best figures of 7 for 52 in an innings.
Top Pick – Wicketkeeper
Dinesh Chandimal put on a resounding show last year with the bat in the longest format, amassing 724 runs in 10 matches at an average of 42.58 which includes 2 centuries and 5 half-centuries.
Australia keep their hands on the ICC Women’s Championship trophy after securing it for a third successive time 🏆 https://t.co/KRLf0S9SiO
— ICC (@ICC) January 28, 2025
X-Factor:
Nathan Lyon has fond memories of playing in Sri Lanka as he made his Test debut in the Country back in 2011. In 8 Test matches in Sri Lanka, he picked up 35 wickets with the best figures of 5 for 34.
What are the Fantasy Suggested Teams for SL vs AUS, 1st Test?
1. Dinesh Chandimal (vc), Angelo Matthews, Steven Smith, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Dhananjaya de Silva, Travis Head, Kamindu Mendis, Nathan Lyon, Prabath Jayasuriya (c), Nishan Peiris.
2. Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Matthews, Steven Smith, Usman Khawaja, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dhananjaya de Silva, Travis Head (vc), Kamindu Mendis (c), Nathan Lyon, Prabath Jayasuriya, Matthew Kuhnemann.
Australia’s swashbuckling batter earns a promotion as Usman Khawaja’s new opening partner for the first #SLvAUS Test 👀
Details 👇 https://t.co/BUcPhoxRg5
— ICC (@ICC) January 28, 2025
Pre-Match Analysis:
Sri Lanka’s dream of entering the WTC final ended with a 2-0 away Test series loss to South Africa. The Lankans who are always a tough team to beat at home conditions are set for the Aussie challenge in the 2-match Test series which is to be played at Galle. When they last featured at home, they thumped New Zealand 2-0 to gain a significant surge in the WTC standings before it was dashed later.
Sri Lanka has named a 17-member squad that includes uncapped Sonal Dinusha and Lahiru Udara. Dinusha earned his place following a stellar domestic season for Colombo CC and even did well during the unofficial Test series against Pakistan A. The 31-year-old Lahiru Udara, who has played one T20I made it to the squad as a cover up for injured Pathum Nissanka.
The team is facing a couple of other injuries to skipper Dhananjaya de Silva (side strain) and Kamindu Mendis (split webbing), but both are expected to recover on time ahead of the 1st Test.
Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Udara, and Sadeera Samarawickrama will fight for the vacant opening spot. Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, and skipper Dhananjaya de Silva will make their batting order. Prabath Jayasuriya will lead the spin attack that features Jeffrey Vandersay and Nishan Peiris. Asith Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, and Milan Rathnayake will form their pace attack.
Australia are flying with high confidence after reaching their second WTC final with an exceptional 3-1 win over India at home. They make key changes to their squad to suit the Sri Lankan conditions. Steven Smith returns as the skipper replacing Pat Cummins, who is on paternity leave. Todd Murphy and Matt Kuhnemann have been included in the squad to assist lead spinner Nathan Lyon. Mitchell Starc will lead the pace attack in the absence of Cummins and injured Hazlewood. Sean Abbott and Scott Boland will provide the fast bowling options. Beau Webster has again been preferred over Mitchell Marsh, who was omitted during the Border Gavaskar Trophy following his poor show.
Acting skipper Steven Smith confirmed that Travis Head will pair with Usman Khawaja in the opening slot as the former did well against the new ball during their visit to India a couple of years back. This opens up the No.5 spot with competition among, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Cooper Connolly, and Josh Inglis.
Australia last toured Sri Lanka for a Test series in 2022 and ended the 2-match series with a 1-1 draw.
