SLC announce the tour itinerary for the upcoming series against Australia that will begin from January 29 onwards.
SLC confirmed that on their tour starting in late January, Australia will play two Test matches in Galle, which might be crucial in determining who advances to the World Test Championship final. In addition, an ODI has been added to the itinerary in order to prepare for the Champions Trophy.
The outcome of the five-match Border-Gavaskar series might have a significant impact on both teams’ chances of making it to Lord’s in June.
The dates of the tests are February 6–10 and January 29–February 2. The sides are then expected to go to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, and the ODI will then take place on February 13 at a location that has not yet been decided.
When Australia last visited Sri Lanka in 2022, the Test series ended in a 1-1 tie. The tourists won the first game in spectacular fashion, while Prabath Jayasuriya’s debut 12-wicket haul levelled the score in the second.
Due to the birth of his second child, Australia’s captain Pat Cummins may miss all or a portion of the trip.
“We’ll see what that looks like closer to the time,” head coach Andrew McDonald said. “We’ve got a couple of players in Mitch Marsh and Travis Head taking paternity leave at the moment. 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.”
McDonald and George Bailey, the selectors’ chair, have proposed that they choose players especially for the conditions in Sri Lanka. Given the success of left-arm orthodox spinners in the subcontinent, left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann may be a viable option to complement Nathan Lyon, while Glenn Maxwell is in the running for a comeback.
Even though it means playing in the BBL, former Australia spinner Steve O’Keefe has encouraged the selectors to give red-ball preparation first priority for the spinners chosen to accompany Lyon.
“I think if we’re really going to be serious about the young spinners going over there, whoever is going to accompany Nathan [Lyon], is the Big Bash the best preparation?” he told ESPNcricinfo. “I’d be encouraging the selectors to let these spinners be going earlier and then I’d be encouraging those spinners to practice with a red ball in between Big Bash games.”