R Premadasa Stadium Colombo Pitch Report For SL vs AUS 2nd ODI

Bhargav Dixit

R. Premdasa Stadium will host the second ODI as well. [Source: @AmanRahii/X]R. Premdasa Stadium will host the second ODI as well. [Source: @AmanRahii/X]

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Much like the first one, the iconic R Premdasa Stadium will also host the second Sri Lanka-Australia ODI. Slated to be played on February 14, it’s going to be the second day match, a rarity in modern-day cricket, within three days.

Sri Lanka

Not qualified to play ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Sri Lanka would be keen to win the last of the two matches in order to register their second consecutive bilateral ODI series victory over Australia. Assuming it happens, it will be for the second time, first since 1992, when Sri Lanka would be defeating Australia in two back-to-back ODI series.

Australia, on the other hand, have never won two ODI series in a row against this opposition. Readers must note that the Aussies have never won an ODI series in Sri Lanka since 2011.

Australia

Slated to play this series and the Champions Trophy with a depleted squad, rookie Australian players wouldn’t get a better opportunity to cement their spots in the national squad. Having failed to chase down a 215-run target yesterday, Australia need to recover quickly from what was an embarrassing loss in spite of the unavailability of multiple first-choice players.

R Premadasa Stadium Stats And Records In ODIs

Criterion
Data
Matches Played152
Matches Won Batting 1st83
Matches Won Bowling 1st59
Average 1st Innings Score248.5
Average 2nd Innings Score238



R Premadasa Stadium Pitch Report: Is It Batting Or Bowling Friendly?

Historically, R Premdasa Stadium has had a soft corner for spinners. Not that the pacers didn’t contribute on Wednesday, but expect the spinners to be entrusted to do the job in tough situations tomorrow.

Stadiums in Test playing nations which have hosted a minimum of 10 ODIs in the last four years, spinners’ average of 26.27 is the second-lowest at this particular ground. As a result, fans shouldn’t be surprised at seeing the ball turning especially as the match progresses.

Players To Watch Out For At R Premadasa Stadium

Kusal Mendis

Sri Lanka wicket-keeper batter Kusal Mendis is not only the highest ODI run-scorer (613 runs at an average of 43.18 and a strike rate of 91.08) in the last 12 months but also the second-highest run-scorer (920 runs at an average of 48.42 and a strike rate of 84.94) among active players with regard to this venue.

Dunith Wellalage

Among active players, Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana is the highest ODI wicket-taker at the R Premdasa Stadium. However, all-rounder Dunith Wellalage’s 21 wickets at an average of 18.09, an economy rate of 4.56 and a strike rate of 23.76 make him the only bowler to average less than 20 whilst striking at less than 25 (min. 20 wickets) here.

Travis Head

If Australia batter Travis Head is playing an international match nowadays, you better watch out for him. Having missed the first ODI, the senior player could return to play his first ODI in over four months before the Champions Trophy. Capable to turn a match on his own, Head would come across as a much-needed boost for an otherwise inexperienced Australian squad.