Sri Lanka play Australia in the first Test match on Wednesday, June 29 at the Galle International Cricket Stadium in Galle from 10:00 am IST(Indian Standard Time).
Australia come into the first Test on the back of a 3-2 defeat in the ODIs against Sri Lanka. However, Australia’s recent form in Test cricket has been great. Australia won the Test series against Pakistan 1-0.
Australia have picked six spin bowlers for the series. Glenn Maxwell also makes a comeback into the Test squad after five years.
Usman Khawaja will look to continue his good form in red-ball cricket. Australia’s batting arsenal will also have David Warner, Marnus Labuschangne and Steve Smith.
The Sri Lankan cricket team will be really confident heading into the first Test match. Having won the ODI series recently, Sri Lanka had also won the Test series against Bangladesh 1-0 in May 2022.
Sri Lankan batting will be highly dependent on Angelo Mathews and captain Dimuth Karunaratne. Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis are also in the squad for the Test series.
Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews scored centuries against Bangladesh last month. Pacers Kasun Rajitha and Asitha Fernando have also been in good form having picked five-wicket hauls against Bangladesh.
Sri Lanka vs Australia 1st Test odds
Bet365 odds: Sri Lanka: 4.00, Draw: 2.62, Australia: 2.37
10CRIC odds: Sri Lanka: 3.62, Draw: 2.65, Australia: 2.34
Betway odds: Sri Lanka: 3.60, Draw: 2.62, Australia: 2.25
Betwinner odds: Sri Lanka: 3.96 Draw: 2.61, Australia: 2.36
1xBet odds: Sri Lanka: 4.04, Draw: 2.65, Australia: 2.398
Note: Odds are subject to change. Please visit betting sites to check and confirm the latest odds.
Sri Lanka vs Australia head-to-head in Tests
Australia and Sri Lanka have played each other in 31 Test matches. The Australian cricket team have won 19 while the Lankans have won on four occasions. Eight matches have been drawn.
All of Sri Lanka’s four wins are at home. The visitors have also won six Tests in the Island Nation.
Sri Lanka vs Australia 1st Test probable playing XI
Sri Lanka: Oshada Fernando, Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella (wicketkeeper), Ramesh Mendis, Lasith Embuldeniya, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha.
Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (captain), Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Swepson.
Sri Lanka vs Australia 1st Test top picks
Sri lanka: Angelo Mathews has been in great form for Sri Lanka. He was awarded Player of the Series against Bangladesh. Mathews scored 344 runs in his last three innings. He scored 199 in the first innings of the first Test and followed it up by 145 in the second Test.
Australia: Usman Khawaja will be Australia’s top pick. Khawaja made his comeback against England in the Ashes. Since his return to the Australian setup, Khawaja has scored 751 runs at an average of 125 in his last nine innings. He has scored four centuries since the beginning of 2022.
Sri Lanka vs Australia 1st Test prediction
Australia will start as favourites. Considering their form in the Ashes and against Pakistan, the visitors are likely to win the first Test.
Sri Lanka have enjoyed success in recent international cricket. However they have struggled against stronger teams. Earlier this year, Sri Lanka lost 2-0 to India.
Sri Lanka vs Australia 1st Test playing conditions and weather report
Maximum Temperature: 30°C
Precipitation: 80%
Humidity: 80%
Wind: 16 km/h