SL vs AUS Match Preview- 1st Test, Australia tour of Sri Lanka 2025

The two-match Test series between Sri Lanka and Australia will get underway this week. The first Test is scheduled to be played on Wednesday (January 29) at the Galle International Stadium, Galle.

The upcoming series will be the last series of the ongoing World Test Championship and both the teams will be keen to end the campaign on a winning note. Australia have already qualified for the WTC final and will be looking to have the winning momentum on their side.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, endured a disappointing campaign in the ongoing WTC cycle and will be desperate to end it on a good note. So before the Test begins, here is the match preview of the 1st SL vs AUS Test.

SL vs AUS Match Preview- 1st Test, Australia tour of Sri Lanka 2025:

SL vs AUS 1st Test Date and Venue:

The first SL vs AUS Test will be played from Wednesday (January 29) at the Galle International Stadium, Galle.

Squads:

Sri Lanka:

Dimuth Karunaratne, Oshada Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva(c), Kusal Mendis(w), Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nishan Peiris, Sonal Dinusha, Lahiru Udara, Milan Priyanath Rathnayake

Australia:

Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith(c), Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey(w), Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Cooper Connolly

SL vs AUS key battles:

Prabath Jayasuriya vs Steve Smith:

This is one battle that could decide the fate of the Test. Australia will be relying heavily on Steve Smith to score big in testing conditions while Sri Lanka will be hoping that Prabath Jayasuriya continues his strong display at home, especially in Galle.

One of the best Test batsmen of this generation if not the best, Smith has a brilliant record in Sri Lanka as well. In 5 Tests that he has played in the island nation so far, the right-handed batsman has scored 398 runs with the help of two centuries and a fifty.

On the other hand, Jayasuriya has a brilliant record at home. In Sri Lanka's last Test series at home which was the two-match series against New Zealand, Jayasuriya was named player of the series for taking 18 wickets at 21.38.

The left-arm spinner has performed well against Australia too. He made his Test debut three years ago against the same opposition and claimed match figures of 12-177.

Travis Head vs Asitha Fernando:

Australia have made their intentions clear by deciding to promote Travis Head at the top of the order for the upcoming series. They want their star batsman to give them a flying start by taking the attack to the opposition.

Head will be looking to score as many runs as possible in the beginning to put his team in the driver's seat. The onus will be on Asitha Fernando to ensure that the Australia opener does not run away with the game. This battle has the potential to set the tone for the remainder of the SL vs AU Test match.

Kamindu Mendis vs Nathan Lyon:

The battle between Kamindu Mendis and Nathan Lyon has the potential to decide the outcome of the game. Mendis was one of the best Test batsmen in the world last year and was recently named in the ICC Test Team of the Year 2024.

In 9 Tests, the left-handed batsman had scored a staggering 1049 runs with the help of 5 centuries and 3 half-centuries. He will be a big threat for Australia in the upcoming series and the visitors will be relying on their spin spearhead Nathan Lyon to dismiss the Sri Lanka star early.

One of the best Test spinners of this generation, Lyon made his Test debut in Sri Lanka more than a decade ago and has ample experience playing in the country. He will be looking to deliver for his team in the upcoming SL vs AUS Test.

SL vs AUS Key Players

SL - Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis, and Prabath Jayasuriya will be the key players for Sri Lanka.

AUS - Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Scott Boland will be the key players for Australia.

SL vs AUS Weather And Pitch Report:

The first two days of the 1st SL vs AUS Test are unlikely to see any rain. However, there are predictions of thundershower for the last three days of the game although heavy rain is unlikely.

The chance of rain interrupting the match is around 30 percent and the temperature will be hovering between 25-30 degrees Celsius for most of the game.

As far as the pitch is concerned, spin bowlers are likely to make a bigger impact. Galle has traditionally assisted spinners and batsmen will have to be at their best in testing conditions to do well.

Conclusion:

While Sri Lanka have usually done well at home, Australia will be backing themselves to stun the hosts. While the form is on Australia's side, Sri Lanka have the advantage of home condition. So, the first Test promises to be a cracking affair.