Australia will lock horns against Sri Lanka in Test (Source:@wasimebrahim,x.com)
Sri Lanka and Australia are set to face off in a two-match Test series starting Wednesday, January 29. The highly-anticipated clash will take place at the iconic Galle International Stadium in Galle, Sri Lanka.
It is important to mention that, Australia, having already secured their place in the WTC final against South Africa at Lord’s. In this Test series. Australia will be led by Steve Smith in the absence of Pat Cummins, who is on paternity leave. The Aussies will also miss the services of pacer Josh Hazlewood, who is recovering from a calf injury sustained during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. Additionally, Mitchell Marsh has been left out of the squad following his underwhelming performance in the same series.
Sri Lanka’s squad faces its own challenges, with crucial players Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, and Pathum Nissanka nursing injuries. Nissanka is recovering from a groin injury and is likely expected to miss the opening Test.
The series, however, presents an opportunity for new faces. Lahiru Udara and Sonal Dinusha are in contention to make their Test debuts for Sri Lanka.
So ahead of the much-awaited series, let's take a look at the head-to-head records between both the teams.
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SL vs AUS Head-To-Head Records In Test
Sri Lanka and Australia have played 33 Test matches against each other. Sri Lanka has won 5, while Australia leads with 20 victories. Both teams have drawn 8 matches each. Sri Lanka’s win percentage stands at 15.15%, while Australia’s is higher at 60.61%.
| Stats | Sri Lanka | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 33 | 33 |
| Matches Won | 5 | 20 |
| Matches Lost | 20 | 5 |
| Tie | 0 | 0 |
| Draw | 8 | 8 |
| Win% | 15.15% | 60.61% |
SL vs AUS Head-To-Head Records At Galle International Cricket Stadium
At the Galle International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka and Australia have faced each other in 6 matches in the longest format of the game. Taking a look at the stats, Australia has won three matches while Sri Lanka has managed two victories. One match ended in a draw.
| Stats | Sri Lanka | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 6 | 6 |
| Matches Won | 2 | 3 |
| Matches Lost | 3 | 2 |
| Draw | 1 | 1 |
Galle International Cricket Stadium Test Stats
At the Galle International Cricket Stadium a total of 46 Test matches have been played. Out of which 25 matches have been won by the team batting first, on the other hand, the chasing team have won 15 matches. Average score batting first at this venue is 369.
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 46 |
| Matches won batting 1st | 25 |
| Matches won batting 2nd | 15 |
| Average score batting first | 369 |
SL vs AUS: What Happened When They Last Played?
Sri Lanka and Australia last faced each other on July 8, 2022 at the Galle International Cricket Stadium. After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Australia managed a respectable 364 runs in their first innings. Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith were the stars of the show, anchoring the innings with remarkable centuries. Labuschagne scored 104 off 156 balls, while Smith remained unbeaten on 145 from 272 balls.
In response, Sri Lanka delivered an extraordinary batting display, and made a mammoth 554 runs in their first innings. Dinesh Chandimal was the standout performer, registering a sensational double century, scoring 206 runs off 326 balls. Contributions from skipper Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis further strengthened Sri Lanka's innings.
Australia's second innings turned into a nightmare as their batting line-up crumbled under the relentless pressure of Sri Lanka's bowlers. Prabath Jayasuriya produced a match-winning performance, claiming six wickets and dismantling Australia's batting order. Maheesh Theekshana and Ramesh Mendis chipped in with two wickets each as Australia were bundled out for just 151 runs.
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