SL v AUS, 1st Test Preview: Australia begin as stern favorites

The much-anticipated Sri Lanka v Australia first Test is set to begin at Pallekele with both sides eagerly awaiting the mammoth contest. However, in spite of playing in familiar and in home conditions, Sri Lanka are not even close to being the favorites in the series of contrasting proportions. Moreover, the fact that the Aussies are heavily tipped to win might also play on the minds of those opting to follow the series and expect a closely contested encounter.

Pitch Conditions:

The wicket at Pallekele boasts of an abundance of turn for the spinners. Although it is a relatively new stadium, the wicket has been turning since day one. Set up as one of the post-Tsunami projects, this venue has seen a few exhilarating matches played especially during the 2011 edition of the World Cup. With spin expected to play such a huge role in proceedings, Steve O’Keefe and Rangana Herath will certainly be licking their lips in anticipation of adding to their wickets tally.

Team Analysis:

Sri Lanka

Following their drubbing in the recently concluded tour of England, the Lankans rang in the reinforcements, thereby forcing a few familiar faces out of the side. Lahiru Thirimanne is one such case. However, this move has opened the doors for several younger faces in the squad, an experiment that can either be completely successful or not.

In spite of the influx of talent, the crux of the side remains more or less the same. The spotlight will certainly be on the spinners Dhanajaya de Silva and Rangana Herath, especially with the latter aiming to make a mark being arguably the best spinner in Sri Lanka at the moment. That said, Angelo Mathews will have his task cut out for him as the Lankans hope for a minor miracle and get away with a victory against a team they have had little or no success against.

Also read – Suranga Lakmal, Dhanajaya de Silva newest additions to Sri Lanka’s injury list

Australia

In contrast to Sri Lanka, Australia comes into the encounter high with confidence. With the Test match mace in their possession, Steve Smith and his band of merry men will certainly be doing all they can to retain the number one ranking in Test cricket as long as they can. Moreover, the return of Mitchell Starc in the longest format of the game will certainly be a shot in the arm as the Aussies look to keep their record against Sri Lanka intact.

Although there are a plethora of stars on the show, the spotlight will well and truly be on Steve O’Keefe. The 31-year old who is making his comeback to the side. O’Keefe impressed one and all with some splendid bowling in the warm-up match and Steve Smith will be hoping that his spinner will make an impact on turning conditions.

Probable XI:

Sri Lanka: 

Angelo Mathews (C), Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Perera, Dhanajaya de Silva, Dilruwan Perera/ Lakshan Sandhak, Rangana Herath, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal

Australia:

Steve Smith (C), Peter Nevil (wk), David Warner, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja, Adam Voges, Mitchell Marsh, Steve O’Keefe, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood

StAttack

1. Steve Smith needs 148 runs to complete 4000 runs in Test cricket.

2. Nathan Lyon requires 5 wickets to complete 200 Test wickets.

3. Dinesh Chandimal needs 4 catches to complete 50 Test match catches.

4. The rivalry between Sri Lanka and Australia dates back to 1982. However, Australia has been completely dominant over the Lankans, winning 10 of the 11 series. Sri Lanka boasts of just the one series win, a win that came all those years ago in 1999.

5. In SL v AUS matches, Rangana Herath is the highest wicket-taker with 38 wickets to his name. Angelo Mathews is the highest run scorer between the two sides at the moment with 449 runs to his name.

6. Neither Australia nor Sri Lanka has won a single Test match at Pallekele. Incidentally, Pakistan is the only side to have won a Test match at this venue.