2 Tests, 1 ODI; Sri Lanka Cricket Announces Fixtures For Upcoming Australia Series
Australia to tour Sri Lanka in January 2025 for Test series (@ICC/X.com)
In an interesting development, the Sri Lanka Cricket board released fixtures for the Australia tour of Sri Lanka scheduled to go on floor in the January-February window in 2025. The two teams will clash in a two-game Test series and play just 1 ODI game.
Australia and Sri Lanka are at a crossroads in the World Test Championship 2023-25 table. While the Aussies are seated at second spot with 90 points, Sri Lanka are just below at no.3 with 60 points. However, with a handful of Test games left to unfold in this cycle, the race to the finale will intensify in the coming months.
That being said, Australia is scheduled to tour Sri Lanka at a crucial time. Following the five-game Border Gavaskar Trophy against India at home, Australia will travel to Sri Lanka in the January-February window in 2025.
Sri Lanka releases schedule for Australia series
Sri Lanka cricket released the fixtures for the same. The two game Test series will be held at Galle. The first Test will go on floors from January 29-February 2 followed by the second Test from February 6-10. Both these games will be played as a part of the WTC 2023-25 cycle.
Interestingly, Sri Lanka will also host Australia in a single game ODI standoff on February 13 and the venue for the same is yet to be determined. The Aussies will mark their arrival in the country on January 20.
Having said that, with WTC finals at stake, emphasis on the Test series will be significant. Both teams are expected to put up a brave fight to grab the maximum points possible.
Australia retain captain, head coach for next cycle
In a significant development, Cricket Australia extended contracts of captain Pat Cummins and head coach Andrew McDonald for the next cricketing cycle i.e until 2027. The board was satisfied with Australia’s success under Cummins’ leadership where they won ICC three titles and the skipper demanded McDonald’s extension as well. Hence, on the basis of past records, CA agreed to the request and awarded the coach a four-year extension contract.