Sri Lanka vs Australia 1st Test Match, Dream 11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket
Sri Lanka host Australia in the two-match Test series which begins in Galle on January 29. The series marks the conclusion of the World Test Championship league cycle, with the final set to be played at Lord's in June.
Cricket PassionEditor
Posted - 2025-01-28T22:06:27+06:00
Updated - 2025-01-28T22:06:27+06:00
Sri Lanka vs Australia
Galle International Stadium
Sri Lanka
165/10 (52.2) 247/10 (54.3)
Australia
654/6d (154)
Australia won by an inning and 242 runs.
Man of the match | Usman Khawaja (Australia) |
Sri Lanka (SL) will face Australia (AUS) in the first Test match of Australia's tour of Sri Lanka. This match will be played at the Galle International Stadium. Sri Lanka will host Australia for a two-match Test series followed by a two-match ODI series. Steve Smith will lead Australia in the absence of Pat Cummins while Dhananjaya De Silva will captain Sri Lanka in this series.
Sri Lanka have won 7 of their last 11 home matches while Australia have lost 4 of their last 5 Tests in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka have also remained unbeaten at home in 2024 so all these points point to an intriguing series. Playing in the subcontinent is a big challenge so Australia will be happy to take up this challenge and put up a competitive performance throughout.
Sri Lanka are coming into this series on the back of a series defeat in South Africa. On the other hand, Australia secured the last spot in the WTC after defeating India at home in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Prabath Jayasuriya will play a key role for the hosts while Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy will be the key bowlers for Australia. There could be changes in the Australian batting order and it remains to be seen how both teams approach this game. It promises to be a closely contested match.
Match Preview
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka are coming into this series on the back of a defeat in South Africa. They lost both their matches against the Proteas by quite a wide margin. Both batters and bowlers have failed to capitalize on crucial moments during the series.
Left-handed orthodox bowler Prabath Jayasuriya will play a key role for the hosts. He has been one of the most consistent wicket-takers and has tremendous impact with the ball.
Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara are other reliable wicket-takers in this team. Although there is a lot of variety in the bowling attack, these 3 along with Vishwa Fernando are the ones to look out for.
The batting was a major disappointment in South Africa. However, now they have returned to home conditions and we expect them to flourish in those conditions.
Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne will open the innings while Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Matthews and Kamindu Mendis will play a key role in the middle order.
They look like a solid batting line-up with plenty of experience and young talent in key positions. Sri Lanka will pose a very tough challenge to the visitors with both the bat and the ball.
Australia
Australia currently sits atop the WTC table and will look to retain that spot as they travel to Sri Lanka. Unless something dramatic happens, Australia will face South Africa in the WTC final later this year.
While Pat Cummins recovers from an ankle injury, Steve Smith will lead a side that has plenty of power in the batting line-up. Sam Konstas, who made his debut in the recent BGT against India, will not retain his place in the opening slot and Travis Head will join Usman Khawaja.
The middle batting order features some experienced batsmen like Steve Smith and Alex Carey and youngsters Beau Webster, Cooper Connolly and Nathan McSweeney also have a chance of making the XI.
In the absence of Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland will lead the attack with the new ball, with Sean Abbott likely to be the third seamer. Australia could find a place for Kuhnemann, depending on conditions, and Nathan Lyon will also find a place in the starting eleven.
Pitch Report
The pitch in Galle is usually on the dry side. The flat surface offers plenty of pace and bounce and for the first 2-3 days, hitting will be easy. While the seamers will get some exercise early in the game, they will need to bowl good line and length to keep the batsmen under pressure.
Toss Prediction
The teams batting first have won 25 of the 46 Test matches played at this venue. The last time Sri Lanka played a Test here, they won by an innings and 154 runs. In the last two days, it will not be easy to catch up on this ground. Both captains will be looking to bat first in this match.
Weather Report
The first day of the test will be cloudy, with rain forecast for the remaining days. This is not good news for cricket fans. Light rain is expected on the second and third days, with a heavy thunderstorm on the fourth day of play.
Head to Head
The two teams faced each other in 33 matches. Australia won 20, Sri Lanka only won 5 games. 8 games ended in a draw.
Venue Details
It is a balanced wicket which helps the batsmen on the first few days of the game. Sri Lanka scored 602 runs for 5 in their last match against New Zealand after electing to bat first. The average 1st innings score at this venue is 369 runs but gets significantly lower in the 3rd and 4th innings. We expect anything around 400 or more in the 1st innings to be a match-winning score.
Match Prediction
While Sri Lanka have home advantage on their side, the visitors have a strong punch with their squad strength and the current form of their key players. Weather permitting, it will be a close game between the two teams. Given the rain forecast, the Test is likely to end in a draw. Australia will start as favourites to win in our match prediction.
Australia to win
Betting Tips
We're betting on Australia to win this game. They travel to Sri Lanka with a strong team that has plenty of batting power and a versatile bowling attack.
Bet on Australia to win.
Probable Playing XI
Sri Lanka Playing XI
Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Kusal Mendis (wk), Lahiru Kumara, Prabath Jayasuriya, Nishan Peiris, Asitha Fernando.
Australia Playing XI
Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Steve Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Travis Head, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy.
Top Fantasy Picks Dream11 Prediction
Sri Lanka Key Players
Dimuth Karunaratne will play his 99th Test match on Wednesday. He has scored 7165 runs in 187 innings at an average of 39.8 and a top score of 244.
Kamindu Mendis has been named the ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2024 for his outstanding performances with the bat. The 26-year-old left-hander was the highest run-scorer for Sri Lanka in Tests last year, totaling 1049 runs in 9 matches at an average of 74.92.
Prabath Jayasuriya is a top-class spinner who bowls consistently from one end. In his 18 Tests, he has taken 107 wickets with a best figure of 7 for 52 in an innings.
Dinesh Chandimal delivered an impressive performance with the bat in the longest format last year, scoring 724 runs in 10 matches at an average of 42.58, including 2 centuries and 5 half-centuries.
Australia Key Players
Steve Smith has been the best batsman for Australia in the subcontinent, scoring 9999 runs in this format at an excellent average of over 53 and has done well in the BGT of late. He will be a good choice for the captaincy in this game.
Nathan Lyon will lead the spin bowling attack for Australia and is the most successful off-spinner in Australian history and will be a top pick for this game.
Travis Head will open the batting in this match and has averaged 55.75 runs in two and a half Tests in India while opening, so he could be a good choice for this match.