SL vs AUS: Match Preview – Australia Tour of Sri Lanka 2022, 1st Test

The Australia tour of Sri Lanka has now reached its final leg with Gall set to host the first of two Tests from June 29. Australia won the T20I series followed by Sri Lanka’s triumph in the ODI series. The series is now nicely poised with a Test series to win. The series is a part of the ICC WTC 2021-23.

Australia are topping the WTC points table with 72 points from eighth Test matches with five wins. They also have the highest percentage point of 75. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, are placed fourth with 55.56 points and a percentage point of 40.

Sri Lanka played a Test series against India in India which they lost. They then played another series against Bangladesh away from home which they won 1-0. Australia before the Sri Lanka series played their last Test series against Pakistan is Pakistan by a 1-0 margin during their historic tour to the country.

SL vs AUS: Match Preview – Australia Tour of Sri Lanka 2022, 1st Test

Australia

The country was greeted with open arms by the Lankan crowd after the Test series. The crowd in Colombo thanked the Australian side for making the trip to their country amid the economical crisis and agreeing to play the bilateral series. The Australian team was also very touched by the response they got.

The players spoke about all the love they received from the fans which became a perfect build-up for the Test series. Australia beat Pakistan in an away Test series prior to this one in March earlier this year and have their sights set on another big win. One big name that has made a comeback into the Tets side is Glenn Maxwell. He has been picked after a five-year hiatus.

Australia Squad

Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Glenn Maxwell, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner

Sri Lanka

After the Test series defeat against India away from home, The Lankans would be eagerly eyeing to beat the Aussies at home. They delivered an inspirational performance in the ODI series and now would like to replicate them in the Test series.

The side will be led by Dimuth Karunaratne which also has veterans like Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal. Mathews scored a 199 in the Test series against Bangladesh that they played. SL won the two-match series 1-0 by winning the first Test in Dhaka.

Sri Lanka Squad

Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella ( WK), Dinesh Chandimal ( WK), Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lasith Embuldeniya, Jeffrey Vandersay. Standby Players: Dunith Wellalage, Lakshitha Rasanjana

Also Read: SL vs AUS: The Support That They Provide Is Second To None – Aaron Finch On Sri Lankan Fans