SL vs AUS Match Prediction | 1st Test

Betting Tips

Australia will embark on a 15-day tour of Sri Lanka starting this Wednesday where they will play 2 Test matches and 2 ODIs. The first Test match will be played at the Galle International Stadium.

Sri Lanka vs Australia Head-to-Head Record

The two teams have faced each other in 33 matches. Australia has won 20 while Sri Lanka has managed to win only 5. 8 games ended in a draw.

Sri Lanka vs Australia Live-streaming and Broadcast

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SL vs AUS Team Previews

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s performance in the last couple of months has been underwhelming. They suffered a whitewash in the 2-match Test series against South Africa and more recently have lost the ODI and T20 series against New Zealand.

The hosts have picked up a squad that was more or less expected, with Lahiru Udara and Sonal Dinusha being the only two uncapped players. Sonal Dinusha brings in all-round abilities and joins an already strong spin contingent that has experienced campaigners like Prabath Jayasuriya, Jeffrey Vanderday, Kamindu Mendis, and Nishan Peiris.

The seam attack is pretty experienced thanks to the presence of Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, and Asitha Fernando. The home team has two injured players in the squad, namely Pathum Nissanka and Dhananjaya De Silva, and are racing against time to be fit for this game.

The others in the line-up include Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, and Angelo Mathews.

Sri Lanka's batting is average at best and normally depends heavily on Kamindu Mendis and Dhananjaya De Silva to bail them out. Kusal Mendis can be dangerous but is just not consistent enough and for some reason, Angelo Matthews continues to find a place in the Test match side.

The way that Sri Lanka can win this match is through its spinners. Prabath Jayasuriya is an excellent pick to be the top bowler for Sri Lanka. His record at home is just mind-boggling.

Sri Lanka Expected Playing 11

Australia

Australia is currently placed at the top of the WTC table and will look to retain that spot as it travels to Sri Lanka. Unless something dramatic happens, Australia will be facing South Africa in the WTC finals later this year.

As Pat Cummins nurses an ankle injury, Steve Smith will lead a squad that has plenty of firepower in the batting line-up. Sam Konstas, who debuted against India in the recent BGT, will not retain his place in the opening slot and it will be Travis Head that joins Usman Khawaja.

The middle order has some experienced batsmen like Steve Smith, Alex Carey, and youngsters Beau Webster, Cooper Connolly, and Nathan McSweeney are all in with a shot of making the eleven as well.

In the absence of Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland will lead the attack with the new ball, with Sean Abbott being the likely 3rd seamer. Australia my find place for Kuhnemann depending on the conditions also Nathan Lyon will also find a place in the playing XI.

Australia Expected Playing 11

SL vs AUS Toss Prediction

The team winning the toss will likely opt to bat first. With spin-friendly conditions expected, this should be seen as a huge advantage.

Pitch and Conditions

The pitch at Galle is usually on the dry side. The flat surface provides plenty of pace and bounce and playing shots will be easy during the first 2-3 days. While the seamers will get some movement early in the match, they will have to bowl a good line and length to keep the batsmen under pressure.

The average first-inning score here is around 370. The surface develops some cracks in the last two days and spinners will come into the picture. The weather is likely to remain overcast throughout the week and there may be some interruptions due to rain.

SL vs AUS Betting Tips

We are backing Australia to win this match. They have a strong squad traveling to Sri Lanka that has plenty of firepower in the batting department and a well-rounded bowling attack.

Bet on Australia to win.