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Sri Lanka vs Australia 1st TEST Preview: Pitch Report, Lineups, Stats and Prediction

Sri Lanka vs Australia 1st TEST: The much-anticipated Warne-Muralitharan Trophy resumes as Australia arrives in Sri Lanka for a two-Test series. Set in the picturesque Galle International Stadium, this series promises to be thrilling despite its lack of World Test Championship implications. For Sri Lanka, the stakes are high as they look to reclaim the trophy for the first time since 2016. Australia, led by Steven Smith in the absence of Pat Cummins, aims to retain the silverware and build momentum for the WTC final.

Galle International Stadium: Test Match Pitch Report

Galle International Stadium, renowned for its picturesque setting and spin-friendly conditions, presents a unique challenge for both batsmen and bowlers. The pitch typically offers assistance to spinners from the outset, with the surface deteriorating as the match progresses, leading to increased turn and uneven bounce. This progression makes batting in the fourth innings particularly demanding.

Pitch Characteristics:

  • Spin-Friendly Conditions: Spinners are expected to dominate from the very first day.
  • Deterioration Over Time: As the match progresses, cracks appear on the pitch, making it even more challenging.
  • Batting Challenges: Batting in the fourth innings is particularly tough due to the uneven bounce and excessive turn.

Weather Forecast:

The weather in Galle during the Test match is expected to be humid with temperatures ranging from 23°C to 32°C. There is a possibility of afternoon rain showers, which could influence play.

Toss Prediction:

Given the pitch conditions and weather forecast, the team winning the toss is likely to opt to bat first to take advantage of the better batting conditions before the pitch deteriorates. Historically, teams batting first at Galle have had a higher success rate, with 25 wins compared to 15 losses.

Head to Head

  • Australia: 20 wins
  • Sri Lanka: 5 wins
  • Draws: 8

Last 5 Meetings

  • 08-Jul-2022: Sri Lanka won by an innings and 39 runs
  • 29-Jun-2022: Australia won by 10 wickets
  • 01-Feb-2019: Australia won by 366 runs
  • 24-Jan-2019: Australia won by an innings and 40 runs
  • 13-Aug-2016: Sri Lanka won by 163 runs

Sri Lanka vs Australia 1st TEST Team News & Lineups

Sri Lanka faces injury concerns with key players. Opening batsman Pathum Nissanka is recovering from a groin strain, while captain Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis are nursing injuries. Prabath Jayasuriya, the hero in Galle, will lead the spin attack, with support from Jeffrey Vandersay and Nishan Peiris.

Australia is without regular skipper Pat Cummins but welcomes back Steven Smith. Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland will lead the pace attack, and Nathan Lyon will be pivotal with the ball. Travis Head will open alongside Usman Khawaja, and the team has bolstered their spin department with Matthew Kuhnemann and Todd Murphy.

Sri Lanka

K Mendis (wk), D Chandimal, S Samarawickrama, D Karunaratne, A Mathews, PHKD Mendis, D de Silva (C), M Priyanath, NGRP Jayasuriya, JF Vandersay, N Peiris

Australia

AT Carey (wk), Usman Khawaja, TM Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (C), S Konstas, BJ Webster, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Kuhnemann, Todd Murphy

Probable Best Players

  • Sri Lanka: Prabath Jayasuriya – Given his remarkable record at Galle, expect him to play a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s bowling attack.
  • Australia: Nathan Lyon – Australia’s ace spinner is likely to be crucial in subcontinental conditions, making him the probable match-winner for Australia.

Predictions for All Four Innings

  1. Sri Lanka’s 1st Innings – Expect a solid start from Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis, but the pressure of Australia’s spin attack could see them post around 250.
  2. Australia’s 1st Innings – Australia’s batting depth should see them reach 350+, with Smith and Marnus Labuschagne playing key roles.
  3. Sri Lanka’s 2nd Innings – After Australia’s lead, Sri Lanka might struggle again under the spin-heavy conditions. Look for them to score 200-225.
  4. Australia’s 2nd Innings – A comfortable chase should see them close the match with 150-180, sealing the win on day 5.

Sri Lanka vs Australia 1st TEST Prediction

Australia is favored to win, considering their depth in both spin and pace. However, Sri Lanka’s strong bowling attack, especially Jayasuriya, could provide a tough challenge. Expect a hard-fought Test, but Australia should have the upper hand with their experience in subcontinental conditions.

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