Sri Lanka go up against Australia in the second Test match on Friday, July 8 at the Galle International Cricket Stadium in Galle from 10:00 AM IST (Indian Standard Time).
Sri Lanka were outclassed by the Australian cricket team in the first match of the series. The hosts won their previous two Test series at home against Bangladesh and West Indies. The island nation will be without the services of Dhananjaya de Silva, Asitha Fernando and Jeffrey Vandersay as they are ruled out due to COVID-19. Angelo Mathews has recovered from the same and is available for selection.
Australia won the last Test comfortably by 10 wickets. Nathan Lyon picked up nine wickets in that match and Cameron Green scored 77 runs in the first innings. The visitors have been in good form in the format, winning the Ashes at home and a 1-0 series win in Pakistan. The visitors are expected to play with the same lineup in this series decider.
Sri Lanka vs Australia 2nd Test odds
Bet365 odds: Sri Lanka: 3.40, Draw: 4.50, Australia: 1.83
10CRIC odds: Sri Lanka: 3.28, Draw: 4.10, Australia: 1.84
Betway odds: Sri Lanka: 3.25, Draw: 4.25, Australia: 1.83
Betwinner odds: Sri Lanka: 3.42, Draw: 4.52, Australia: 1.83
1xBet odds: Sri Lanka: 3.46, Draw: 4.58, Australia: 1.84
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 have been dominant in this head-to-head, winning 20 out of 32 matches against Sri Lanka in this format. The Sri Lankan cricket team has won four, which were all at home, and the remaining eight matches have been drawn.
Australia won their seventh Test in the island nation last time out. The Lankans whitewashed the Aussies in the 2016 series in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka vs Australia 2nd Test probable playing XI
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Kusal Mendis, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella (wicketkeeper), Ramesh Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha.
Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (captain), Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Swepson.
Sri Lanka vs Australia 2nd Test top picks
Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne will be the player to watch out for from the hosts. The Sri Lankan captain has scored 643 runs at an average of 49.46 in seven matches in this World Test Championship cycle. The left-handed batter has a top score of 85 in this format against the visitors.
Australia: Nathan Lyon will be the top pick in the final Test. The 34-year-old picked up a five-fer in the first innings and four wickets in the second innings of the last match. The off-spinner has 436 wickets in 109 matches in this format.
Sri Lanka vs Australia 2nd Test prediction
The Australian cricket team has been in commendable form in this format and their head-to-head record puts them as favourites to win this match and whitewash the hosts.
Sri Lanka were outplayed in the first Test and selection issues due to COVID-19 make it a difficult task for them to beat the visitors in this encounter.
Sri Lanka vs Australia 2nd Test playing conditions and weather report
Maximum Temperature: 29°C
Precipitation: 31%
Humidity: 92%
Wind: 11 km/h