Australia Playing 11 vs Sri Lanka - 1st Test, Australia tour of Sri Lanka 2025

Australia's tour of Sri Lanka will start this week with the first Test between the two sides. The series opener is scheduled to be played on Wednesday (January 29) in Galle.

The visitors have already booked their spot in the WTC final and will be looking to end the ongoing WTC cycle on a winning note. Australia have not won a Test series in Sri Lanka since 2011 and will be keen to end their winless run in the Asian country.

With Australia eyeing another famous Test series win, we are taking a look at Australia Playing 11 for the first SL vs AUS Test.

Australia Playing 11 vs Sri Lanka - 1st Test, Australia tour of Sri Lanka 2025:

Openers: Usman Khawaja, Travis Head

Australia will have a new opening pair in the Australia Playing 11 for the first Test. Ahead of the series-opener, Australia's stand-in captain Steve Smith confirmed that Travis Head will be opening the innings alongside Usman Khawaja.

While Sam Konstas impressed on his debut in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India a few days ago, Australia have decided to promote the experienced Head for the challenging series.

"Trav will go to the top, outside of that I think it will be pretty stable," Smith told reporters before the first Test.

"I don't see it being a great deal of change from that. The selectors liked what they saw in India when he (Head) had that opportunity. He got after the new ball, scored quickly and put the pressure on them straight away so I guess similar thinking here," he added.

Australia will be hoping that Head gives them a good start in the challenging conditions where spinners are likely to make a big impact. They will also be relying on Khawaja who has impressed in the subcontinent in recent years. Khawaja had a fine series with the bat when Australia toured India in 2023 and will be eyeing a similar show in Sri Lanka as well.

Middle-order batsmen and allrounders: Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, Beau Webster

Australia's middle-order is likely to see at least one change. With Head promoted as opener, uncapped Josh Inglis is expected to replace him in the Australia Playing 11. While Konstas is another option, Australia are likely to back Inglis who has the experience of playing in Asia.

The onus will be on big names such as Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne to lead the charge with the bat for the tourists. Smith impressed with the bat against India, finishing the series as the third-highest run-scorer.

He will be looking to make the most of his form. Labuschagne also played some decent knocks against India and will be keen to do well against Sri Lanka. Alex Carey will be the designated wicketkeeper of the team while Beau Webster is expected to retain his spot in the Australia Playing 11 after impressing on his debut earlier this month.

Bowlers: Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland, Matthew Kuhnemann

Australia are likely to play the first Test against Sri Lanka with four specialist bowlers. Australia Playing 11 is expected to have two frontline pacers and as many frontline spinners.

Nathan Lyon will be leading the spin attack with left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann as his bowling partner. On the other hand, Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland are expected to lead the pace attack for the tourists.