Australia tour of Sri Lanka 2025 full schedule announced; Pat Cummins' availability uncertain

Australia is all set to return to Sri Lanka early next year for a bilateral series in January and February. After nearly two years since their last visit, Australia will tour Sri Lanka early next year for a two-match Test series and a solitary One-Day International (ODI) match.

Australia will take on Sri Lanka at the picturesque Galle International Stadium for back-to-back Test matches—a venue that has historically posed challenges for visiting sides with its unpredictable, spin-friendly conditions where the hosts always have the upper hand.

Australia to face spin challenge in Galle; Pat Cummins likely to miss Tests due to family commitments

The upcoming two-match Test series in Sri Lanka holds much more significance for the Australian cricket team, as it is a very important part of their journey to secure another shot at the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Defeat in the Sri Lanka Tests could jeopardize Australia’s chances, especially if they lose the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 to India.

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Meanwhile, Australian captain Pat Cummins is likely to miss part of the upcoming Test series in Sri Lanka due to the birth of his second child at that time. Adding to Australia’s woes, Cameron Green, who recently underwent back surgery, is already out of the Sri Lanka tour.

According to AAP, Australia head coach Andrew McDonald said of Pat Cummins: “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 (for the Pakistan ODI series). So, we respect that if that was 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.”

Following the Test battles, Australia’s upcoming Sri Lanka tour wraps up with a single ODI on February 13, and this game will help the teams in preparations for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. However, the venue for the match has not yet been decided and will be announced shortly.

Andrew McDonald hints at Glenn Maxwell's Test return for Sri Lanka tour

On the other hand, McDonald hinted at Glenn Maxwell’s possible return to Australia’s Test lineup for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour, especially after watching New Zealand’s recent success over India on spin-friendly pitches. Maxwell last wore the Baggy Green in 2017 during the Bangladesh series.

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McDonald stated: “I think if you looked at the last two Test matches in Pakistan (against England) and India, the ability to play on that horizontal plane sweeping and reverse sweeping, I think will be a critical skill if the conditions are extreme. Does he (Maxwell) fit that profile? 100 percent he fits that profile.”

The coach signed off by saying, “The big challenge for 'Maxi' is clearly body and whether he can get through Test cricket, and what that may look like on the back of BBL. With 'Maxi', it's he plays; see how he pulls up, and then make the next decision on the back of that injury that he had.”

Sri Lanka vs Australia fixtures:

January 29-February 2, 2025: First Test at Galle

February 6-10, 2025: Second Test at Galle

February 13, 2025: Only ODI; TBC