After a five-year wait, the Aussies finally return to Sri Lanka – and what a series this could turn out to be.
With the first Test in the fourth Warne-Muralitharan series set to begin on July 26th, here is a view of both squads and the potential line-ups for the Pallekelle Test.
The Australian squad
The Australian Test squad, as ever, look extremely strong in all facets. With the emergence of Steve O’Keefe in the warm-up game against a Sri Lankan XI, they look to have a handy spin combination whose performance could prove crucial to the outcome of the series.
The batsmen, too, are proving that they can perform in the subcontinent, with the likes of Usman Khawaja, David Warner and Steve Smith expected to solidify their reputations as accomplished players of spin. In the aforementioned warm-up game, the lowest individual score bar Nathan Lyon’s eight was 25 from Marsh and Nevill, proving that the whole team are comfortable in what can often be testing conditions for Antipodean visitors.
The Sri Lankan squad
With a spate of injuries throughout the national pool, the Sri Lankans find themselves in the unenviable scenario of missing their top three pace bowlers, a loss of even more experience in an already fresh-faced side.
This has led to a game-by-game squad selection, and the 15 men put up for the first encounter features five uncapped players, four of whom were called up from the Sri Lanka A team which is currently touring England. The performances of the senior players will prove key, with Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal and the wily Rangana Herath expected to lead from the front.
In a bowling attack light of experience, Herath will undoubtedly be the main man, and a good showing from the Lankan batting is crucial if they hope to give themselves a fighting chance.
Predicted XIs
Australia’s line-up looks settled and is highly likely to stay the same from their last series in New Zealand in February, bar James Pattinson (who is not in the squad) and Jackson Bird (who is certain to be swapped out for Mitchell Starc).
Australia
1. David Warner 2. Joe Burns/Shaun Marsh 3. Usman Khawaja 4. Steve Smith (c) 5. Adam Voges 6. Mitchell Marsh 7. Peter Nevill (wk) 8. Steve O’Keefe 9. Mitchell Starc 10. Nathan Lyon 11. Josh Hazlewood/Jackson Bird
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, are a team whose final combination is almost impossible to predict, but what is certain is a debutant among the line-up, with at least one player expected to make their bow.
Dilruwan Perera or the uncapped Lakshan Sandakan are expected to fight it out for the second spinner’s role behind Herath, and they may opt for the exciting Vishwa Fernando over Suranga Lakmal to partner Nuwan Pradeep with the new ball.
Sri Lanka
1. Dimuth Karunaratne 2. Kaushal Silva 3. Kusal Mendis 4. Dinesh Chandimal (wk) 5. Angelo Mathews (c) 6. Kusal Perera 7. Dhananjaya de Silva/Roshen Silva 8. Rangana Herath 9. Dilruwan Perera/Lakshan Sandakan 10. Suranga Lakmal/Vishwa Fernando 11. Nuwan Pradeep
On paper, the Australians far outweigh the inexperienced Sri Lankans, but don’t expect the home team to go down without a fight. With the support of the crowd and knowledge of the conditions, anything is possible. Still, it is hard not to rate the Aussies, and expect them to win this quite comfortably.
Prediction: Australia to take a 1-0 lead
mariachi band fan
Guest
And I'm sure those 3 are shaking in their boots at the thought of your square gaze.
Mattw
Guest
Urr what? You don't trust smith?? What has he done to deserve that?
Shanith de Mel
Roar Rookie
I agree Craig- while I still expect Australia to win, the Sri Lankans are no walkover and have some players that on their day, could influence the outcome of the match. It is a good test for both sides and a chance to introduce some new faces into their respective teams.
Craig Swanson
Guest
They have adequate replacements in the pace department. I see their chief weapon though being spin. I see our boys facing a spin assualt as not only do we have the specialist, like Ragana Herath to contend with but some of their batsmen are no mugs with the ball. This series will be no walkover for us. Closer than people think.
Craig Swanson
Guest
Agree James. We should not take any team from the sub continent litely. After all we do not have the happiest record touring there. Uzzy's play against spin has markedly improved. since the baked clay decks that replicate sub continental conditions were laid at the academy. Hope some of our other boys like Warner and Mitch Marsh have been practising hard on them
The Bush
Roar Guru
And how are they meant to rebuild if they don't play the best? Thank God this approach isn't taken. It's bad enough that we never play Bangladesh...
jameswm
Roar Guru
I hope the Aussie batsmen aren't thinking that way. They need to knuckle down and not bat like millionaires. I trust Burns and Voges, but I'm looking squarely at the other three in our top 5.
Shanith de Mel
Roar Rookie
Chameera is likely to return from injury before the end of the Test series, and seeing as their seam options are threadbare, Sri Lanka will most likely bring him immediately back into the squad- this is possible because of the test-by-test squad selection that the selectors have opted to go for.
Lancey5times
Guest
Pity we won't get to see Chameera in the first test. I like the look of him
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
They shouldn't even bother with this series, it is such a mismatch since Jaywardene and Sanga retired. SL are in a rebuilding phase which will take years. I dont think it is 'West Indies bad' though for them
jameswm
Roar Guru
There you go David Lord. Australia is not the only country whose quicks get hit by injury. SL's top 3 quicks are out injured. What would I like to see most? Smith back to his imperious best, Marsh's batting to find some consistency, and Starc to bowl accurately. And I get Ussie to play the spinners well.