Sri Lanka vs Australia Second Test Tips - Visitors in good shape
05 Feb 2025
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Sri Lanka vs Australia First Test Tips - Spin trial awaits the Kangaroos
- Sri Lanka vs Australia First Test match predictions to be played in Galle from Wednesday, January 29
- Sri Lanka won 5 of their last 6 Tests at this venue
- Australia lost 4 of their last 5 home Tests against Sri Lanka
Can Sri Lanka turn conditions to their advantage and surprise Australia? (Getty Images)
Sri Lanka vs Australia First Test
It’s the end of the current WTC cycle as Sri Lanka hosts Australia in a two-match series. The first of the matches will be played at the Galle International Stadium from Wednesday, with the first ball set to be bowled at 10 am IST.
- Sri Lanka vs Australia First Test
- Head to Head
- Sri Lanka Form
- Sri Lanka Team News
- Australia Form
- Australia Team News
- Sri Lanka vs Australia First Test FAQs
Australia is already a confirmed finalist, and they will play South Africa in a one-off in England later this year. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, is out of the race and will hope to continue their good recent record at home against Australia. I am backing the home team to do the job, with their spinners likely to enjoy a better outing.
- Sri Lanka won 4 of their last 5 home matches against Australia (Tests).
- Sri Lanka won 5 of their last 6 matches at this venue (Tests).
- Sri Lanka won 6 of their last 8 home matches (Tests).
- Australia lost 3 of their last 5 away matches in Asia (Tests).
Head to Head
Sri Lanka played Australia in 33 Tests so far, with five wins for the Lankans and 20 victories for the Australians. Eight matches ended in a draw. All five of those wins came at home venues for the Islanders.
The last time these sides played was in 2022, when Australia travelled to Galle for a two-match series that ended 1-1. The Aussies won the first match by 10 wickets, while the Islanders responded with an innings and 39-run victory in the second.
Sri Lanka Form
Sri Lanka is 5th in the WTC table with 45.45 percentage points. They have won five and lost six of their 11 Tests in this cycle. The last time they were seen was in South Africa, when they were beaten 2-0.
The Islanders last played at home against New Zealand in Galle, when they won both their matches comprehensively. It was a series dominated by bowlers, with Prabath Jayasuriya taking 18 wickets, while Kamindu Mendis aggregated 182 runs.
The hosts included uncapped opening batter Lahiru Udara and the 24-year-old left-arm spinning all-rounder Sonal Dinusha in their squad.
Sri Lanka Team News
Opener Pathum Nissanka is out of the Test with a groin strain, which leaves Sri Lanka with Oshada Fernando, Udara, or Sadeera Samarawickrama as their opening options. Dinusha, Nishan Peiris, and Jeffrey Vandersay could be fighting for one spinner’s slot.
Australia Form
Australia is 2nd with 63.73 percentage points and is a confirmed finalist with 11 wins and two draws from their 17 Tests. They were last seen in the Border–Gavaskar Trophy that they won 3-1 against India at home.
From that side, captain Pat Cummins is out of this series, managing his workload. Steve Smith steps in his place, while left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann and offspinner Todd Murphy will join Nathan Lyon.
Cooper Connolly is called up as a batting all-rounder, while Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, and Mitchell Starc remain the pace trio in the squad.
Australia Team News
Beau Webster and Nathan McSweeney are set to stay outside the playing XI for the Aussies. Abbott could get a chance, thanks to his superior batting skill over Boland. Josh Inglis may get a nod as a specialist batter, while Kuhnemann may play, as he looked fit in the net sessions after sustaining a broken thumb. Connolly may play if they prop Head to open and Konstas to sit on the sidelines.
Sri Lanka vs Australia First Test FAQs
Where can I watch the Sri Lanka vs Australia First Test live stream?
Our live streaming calendar shows you where to watch the Sri Lanka vs Australia First Test live stream.
What time does Sri Lanka vs Australia First Test start?
This Sri Lanka vs Australia First Test match is being played at the Galle International Stadium in Galle starting at 10 a.m. IST on Wednesday, January 29.
Verdict
Australia has a lot of exciting talent in its ranks, but this is a match that could favour the home side. Sri Lanka has enough spin power to test the visitors and make a point. I am backing them to win here and surprise the visitors.
Sri Lanka win
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