Travis Head And...? 3 Expected Game-Changers For Australia In 1st Test Vs Sri Lanka

Anurag Dasgupta∙ Updated: Jan 28 2025, 3:30 PM

Head to be game changer Vs Sri Lanka [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.Com]Head to be game changer Vs Sri Lanka [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.Com]

The wait is over as Australia's much anticipated Test tour of Sri Lanka begins from Wednesday, January 29 at the Galle International Stadium. The series will be a litmus test for the visiting Australian side who are eager to continue their good form in red-ball cricketer. On the other hand, Sri Lanka will look to mainatin their home dominance against the Australian side.

For Australia, Pat Cummins will not be a part of the squad as Australia are managing his workload ahead of the all-important WTC finals and plus, he, along with his wife are expecting the birth of their child soon.

However, despite the team missing their captain, the visiting Australian side will be confident of pulling off a miracle and for that, they need 3 stars to be at their best and here's who they are.

3) Travis Head

Perhaps Australia's biggest match-winner at the moment, Travis Head will have loads of responsibility in the batting department.

Interestingly, he is set to open for the team and there is a tactical reason behind it. The pitches in Sri Lanka offers help for the spinners, and as a result, Head will counter the pace bowlers at the top and will make life easier for the middle order batters. At Galle, spinners tend to dominate and Head is the only Australian batter who can counter-attack their bowlers and can make life easier for the Aussies.

2) Steve Smith

The one player in this Australian team who can play spin with relative ease. Steve Smith's contribution with the bat will be crucial for Australia's fate in the series. If Head is someone who can go berserk, Smith will bide his team and will frustrate the Sri Lankan spinners with his class and defensive approach.

He is a gutsy cricketer and to survive on a tricky Galle surface, you need guts. Hence, Smith could be another game changer for the Aussies.

1) Nathan Lyon

In 4 matches, Nathan Lyon has 21 wickets at the Galle Stadium, showcasing his love for the venue. One of the greatest spinners of this generation, Lyon's overs in the match can decide the outcome of the contest.

On such pitches, where the spinners get purchase, Lyon becomes dangerous and his off-break bowling will trouble the Sri Lankan batters.