Sri Lanka will host Australia for two Tests and one ODI early next year, with World Test Championship (WTC) points on the line. Regardless of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy result, this two-match Test series in Galle will play a crucial role in deciding who goes through to the WTC Final, scheduled at Lord’s next year.
While the Tests will hold the higher importance, the one-off ODI added to the schedule, the venue of which is undecided yet, is for both teams to get some match practice ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan. The two Tests will be played on Jan 29 to Feb 2 and Feb 6-10, with the One-Day game scheduled for February 13.
Per the ICC, Pakistan will stage the eight-team tournament from February 19 to March 9.
Meanwhile, the last time Australia toured Sri Lanka for two Tests in 2022, the series ended 1-1. The travelling side won the first Test before Prabath Jayasuriya picked 12 wickets in the second match to level the series. However, there is a higher chance that Australia captain Pat Cummins might miss the series for the birth of his second child.
“We’ll see what that looks like closer to the time. We’ve got a couple of players in Mitch Marsh and Travis Head taking paternity leave at the moment. So, we respect that if that were to unfold for that particular time and if he wants to miss a Test. If he’s got bigger things to take care of than a Test match in Sri Lanka, then that’s fine with us,” Australia head coach Andrew McDonald said.
Changes in squad for SL Tests
Australia could make several changes to their Test squad for the Sri Lanka series, with white-ball star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell in contention for a return to red-ball cricket. Besides, left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann could also return to the side, with former Australian spinner Steve O’Keefe urging the selectors to prioritise red-ball spinners to be picked for the Sri Lanka tour.
“I think if we’re really going to be serious about the young spinners going over there, whoever is going to accompany Nathan [Lyon], is the Big Bash the best preparation?” Steve O’Keefe said in a chat with ESPNcricinfo.
“I’d be encouraging the selectors to let these spinners be going earlier and then I’d be encouraging those spinners to practice with a red ball in between Big Bash games,” he added.
