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There is still plenty to play for in the third and final Test despite Sri Lanka already having the series won against Australia when the sides meet in Colombo. Join The Roar for live scores and updates of the first Day’s play from 2:30pm (AEST).
Sri Lanka had only ever won a single Test match against Australia coming into this series, but now they are on the verge of a series sweep as we head to Colombo.
Every report heard about the pitch in the lead up to the match is stating that it will take turn more than the two before it, and that will only play into Sri Lanka’s hands once again with Rangana Herath and Lakshan Sandakan in all sorts of form.
With Sri Lanka’s batting order at least drifting in and out of form, the chance for a series sweep is well on. Kusal Perera will once again be the key, and if he makes any sort of score with support from Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Matthews then it’s going to be a hard act to follow.
When you consider that they have never built a platform with the opening partnership and have been easily winning it makes the proposition even worse for the Aussies.
Australia, while not only trying to avoid a series sweep are trying to build some form in the sub-continent. Putting aside the upcoming One Day International and Twenty20 series, they have an upcoming tour of India.
If they can’t restore some confidence and form here, then that series may already be a forgone conclusion with the only question of the final score to India.
Nathan Lyon absolutely must stand up this time around. While Jon Holland can be forgiven to an extent in the last match because he was on debut, he must also improve.
But Lyon is the key. His bowling has been virtually atrocious so far in the series – too fast and flat and nothing really threatening.
In terms of batting, David Warner and Steve Smith are the only two who even look like making a score against spin, and even then it is isn’t confident.
Rain and thunderstorms are expected for every single day of the match, but with the pitch likely to take turn from the outset, we shouldn’t need a full five days to get to a result, and it should be something similar to the first match, where afternoon sessions were lost.
Prediction
Australia’s confidence will be shot after the first two matches in this series, and while they might be competitive it’s hard to see them turning things around even if they do win the toss and get to bat first.
Sri Lanka should do the job in five days given the weather.
Be sure to join The Roar for live updates of Day 1 in Colombo from 2:30pm (AEST) and don’t forget that you can get involved by adding a comment in the section below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde