Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed through their social media that the Islanders will host Australia for two Test matches in Galle followed by an ODI match. The newly added Test matches will be part of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) and are likely to act decisive as to which team proceeds to the WTC final.
Both Test matches will be played at the Galle International Stadium, with the first match beginning on January 29, while the second on February 6. The one-off ODI game, set to be played six days before the tournament opener, will be a build-up to the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. The venue for the ODI game is yet to be confirmed.
Australia currently occupy the second position in the WTC points table with a winning percentage of 62.5, followed closely by Sri Lanka with 55.56% wins under their belt. This has led many to anticipate a tussle for the place in the final between the two. This two-match series will be important in deciding who goes ahead to play the final.
The Aussies are scheduled to play a five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, starting November 22 which will run until the first week of January. Following India’s recent series loss against New Zealand, the BGT can see the men in blue’s chances further dwindling, should they lose down under.
Australia’s red-ball captain, Pat Cummins, is likely to miss both of the Test matches because of paternity leave.
“We’ll see what that looks like closer to the time,” Kangaroos’ 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 also said that the team will look to pick players whose skillsets match the Sri Lankan conditions. A couple of days ago, former Australian spinner, Steve O’Keefe suggested young spinners be left out of the final stages of the Big Bash League (BBL), which will end on January 27, and allowed to train for the Test matches.
“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?” O’Keefe said. “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.”
There is also a likelihood of Glenn Maxwell making a comeback to the pure format game. Just last week, Maxwell, while talking to ESPN Cricinfo, said that he still dreams of wearing the baggy green again and making the most of the chance if given. To this date, Maxwell has only played seven Test matches and to help his case, all seven of these games were played in Asia.
