SL vs AUS Match Prediction - 1st ODI, Australia tour of Sri Lanka 2025

With the Test series done and dusted, Sri Lanka and Australia will now renew their rivalry in the ODIs. They will be playing a two-match ODI series, starting this week. The first ODI is scheduled to be played on Wednesday (February 12) at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Sri Lanka will be desperate to bounce back after being whitewashed in the Test series at home. Australia outplayed the hosts in both the Tests and won them in a dominating fashion. With their confidence sky-high, Australia will look to continue their fine performance in the 50-over format as well.

With both the teams now gearing up for the first ODI, here are all the predictions for the upcoming SL vs AUS game.

SL vs AUS Match Prediction - 1st ODI, Australia tour of Sri Lanka 2025:

Match Details

Match: SL vs AUS, 1st ODI

Date: February 12, 2025

Time: 10: 00 AM IST

Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Live streaming: SonyLiv, FanCode

Live broadcast: Sony Sports

SL vs AUS Match Prediction—Head-to-Head Record

Australia have a clear upper hand over Sri Lanka in the head-to-head record between the two teams in ODIs. Of the 103 ODIs that have taken place between the two teams so far, Australia have won a staggering 64 games while Sri Lanka have managed to win only 35. Four ODIs between the two teams ended in no result.

Total Test Matches Played: 103

Sri Lanka Won: 35

Australia Won: 64

Last 5 Matches: Sri Lanka - 3 wins | Australia - 2 wins

Pitch Report & Conditions

Bowling-Friendly: Batsmen are likely to struggle at the R. Premadasa Stadium while spinners are expected to dominate the proceedings. Last year, the venue hosted all the three ODIs when India visited Sri Lanka and in all the games, the batsmen struggled to do well.

In fact, neither of the two teams could manage to reach the 250-run mark as even the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli struggled. 248 scored by Sri Lanka was the highest total in the series. The spinners had made a huge impact in that series. The top eight wicket-takers in the series were spinners and the conditions are likely to remain the same for the upcoming SL vs AUS game as well.

Average 1st Innings Score: 225 - The average first innings total at the venue is a modest 225 runs. So, anything above 250 will be a very challenging total.

Chasing Record:

Chasing teams have struggled to maintain a good record at the venue. Of the 153 ODIs played at the venue so far, teams batting second have won only 59 games while teams batting first have won 82 ODIs.

Weather Report

The SL vs AUS match is scheduled to start at 10:00 AM local time and there is no prediction of rain around that time. However, there is a 10-12 percent chance of thundershower in the noon and the game could face a little interruption. The forecast, however, is not very concerning and the game is likely to take place and the temperature will be hovering around 30 degrees Celsius throughout the game.

SL vs AUS Match Prediction - Sri Lanka and Australia Probable XIs

Sri Lanka Playing 11:

Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (c), Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jeffrey Vandersay, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando

Australia Playing 11:

Matt Short, Travis Head, Steve Smith (c), Josh Inglis (wk), Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Cooper Connolly, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Tanveer Sangha, Spencer Johnson

Form and Fitness

Four players have dropped out of Australia's original 15-member squad. Captain Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitch Marsh have pulled out due to injury while Marcus Stoinis has retired from ODIs.

As a result, Australia have added the likes of Sean Abbott, Cooper Connolly, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Ben Dwarshuis, Spencer Johnson, and Tanveer Sangha to their squad. Sri Lanka have no major injury concerns for the time being.

Score Prediction

Sri Lanka vs Australia Players to perform prediction

SL: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana

AUS: Travis Head, Steve Smith, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell and Nathan Ellis

SL vs AUS Best Batsman Prediction

Who will score the most runs for SL in the match: Pathum Nissanka or Kusal Mendis

Who will score the most runs for AUS in the match: Travis Head or Steve Smith

SL vs AUS Best Bowler Prediction

Who will pick the most wickets for SL in the match: Maheesh Theekshana or Dunith Wellalage

Who will pick the most wickets for AUS in the match? Nathan Ellis or Adam Zampa

Conclusion: Who will win the match?

While Australia outplayed Sri Lanka in the Tests, the home side will be slight favorites for the first ODI.

Spin could be the dominating factor in Colombo and Sri Lanka are expected to exploit the conditions better even though Australia performed well in Tests. Sri Lanka beat India at home last year and will be fancying their chances of beating the world champions too.