Can the hosts bounce back?
After suffering an embarrassing Test series loss at home, the action now moves to the One-Days as Sri Lanka host Australia for two ODIs. With the Champions Trophy just around the corner both teams will be looking to utilise these games to fine-tune their ODI setup.
Ahead of the first ODI between Sri Lanka and Australia, here’s our match preview and predictions.
Sri Lanka vs Australia 1st ODI | Australia tour of Sri Lanka 2025 | 09:30 IST, February 12, 2025
Charith Asalanka is leading the hosts with a relatively new squad under him. Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis are the mainstays in the batting lineup with the squad also boasting of a host of all-rounders such as Wanindu Hasaranga, Asalanka himself and Janith Liyange. The bowling department has Asitha Fernando as the lead pacer with a strong spin bowling lineup consisting of Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Hasaranga and Dunith Wellalage.
Australia on the other hand have Steve Smith leading their squad with Travis Head, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis and Marnus Labuschange as their main batters. Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Hardie, Cooper Connolly and Sean Abbott fill in both disciplines while Mitchell Starc leads the bowling attack which has the likes of Tanveer Sangha, Nathan Ellis and Ben Dwarshuis.
The Colombo ground is one which will be a spinner’s paradise with the hosts securing a big series win against India last year and it will be the hosts as the slight favourites to start the ODI series with a win in what should be a close encounter.
Fantasy XI: Pathum Nissanka, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Travis Head, Steve Smith, Wanindu Hasarange, Glenn Maxwell, Kamindu Mendis, Alex Carey Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Mitchell Starc
Venue: Colombo
Winners Prediction: Sri Lanka
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