We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Pitch Report for Sri Lanka vs Australia Match at Galle International Stadium
The Galle International Stadium is a predominantly result-oriented venue. The last drawn Test dates back to March 2013. Historically, the spinners have also found great success.
Probable Playing XIs for Sri Lanka & Australia
Probable XI for Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Vishwa Fernando, Lasith Embuldeniya, Kasun Rajitha, Praveen Jayawickrama/Jeffrey Vandersay
Playing XI for Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon
Power Players for Sri Lanka vs Australia Match
Australia will heavily rely on Nathan Lyon’s off-spinners for regular breakthroughs. When he last visited Sri Lanka in 2016, he bagged 16 wickets in 3 Tests. He also picked a five-wicket haul in the second innings of his last Test at Lahore earlier this year.
Pathum Nissanka will be a huge wicket for Australia, given his ability to occupy the crease for longer periods. He has got three half-centuries in his last two Tests at Galle.
Sri Lanka will hope for a strong start from Dimuth Karunaratne at the top. He has slammed 4 hundreds and as many fifties at Galle in 13 Tests.
Usman Khawaja has been in the form of his life lately. He has amassed 751 runs in his last five Tests, including the highest score of 160. His recent exploits against the Pakistani spinners augurs well for his upcoming challenge against Sri Lanka.
Also Read: Top Benefits of Playing Fantasy Cricket on My11circle
Smart Picks for Sri Lanka vs Australia Match
Mitchell Starc is always going to be a handful on dry surfaces, especially with his reverse swing. When he last visited Galle, he walked away with 11 wickets for the match.
It will be interesting to see how Australia tackle the spin threat of Lasith Embuldeniya. Out of his 76 Test wickets, 32 have come at Galle.
David Warner started to find form towards the end of the ODIs. In 6 Tests against Sri Lanka, he has added 435 runs at 39. However, he is yet to register a century against them in red-ball cricket.
With the pitch offering turn and bounce, Ramesh Mendis has the ability to wreak havoc. In his last two Tests at Galle in November 2021, he ended up picking 18 wickets. He is also capable of contributing with the bat.
Angelo Mathews was the best batter on show for his side during the Bangladesh tour with scores of 145* and 199. Against Australia, he averages 47 in six Tests at home.
Although the pitch is unlikely to offer much assistance for the seamers, one can expect Pat Cummins to run in and give his all, like he did in his previous Test at Lahore. He has 14 scalps in 2 Tests against Sri Lanka.
If Australia are to make amends for their horrendous 2016 tour, they will need runs from the gritty duo of Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne. Their ability to use the crease well against the spinners can prove to be a big asset going forward.
Match Preview for Sri Lanka vs Australia Match
Although Australia have won their last two Tests against Sri Lanka at home, they lost both games on their previous tour to Sri Lanka in 2016, including the one at Galle. Going by how both sides fought in the recently concluded limited-overs series, one can expect yet another intriguing contest.
Time: 29 June, 10.00 PM IST