SL vs AUS 2025: Tim Paine predicts Sri Lanka not 'getting close to Australia' in second Test

The second Test of the two-match series between Sri Lanka and Australia is scheduled to commence on Thursday, February 6. The first game was won by the visitors in comprehensive style. The commanding win by an innings and 242 runs was Sri Lanka's heaviest defeat in their storied history in the longest format.

In a recent discussion, former Australian skipper, Tim Paine, reiterated standby skipper Steve Smith's post-match sentiments.   

"I think Steve Smith said himself in the post-game press conference that the performance was close to flawless," shared Paine in a conversation with SEN Cricket.

There are not too many teams that can go near them: Paine

Providing a gist on the manner in which the top-performers from Australia overpowered Sri Lanka, Paine was of the opinion that it was highly unlikely that the hosts would be anywhere near competitive regardless of the nature of the pitch in store. 

"That is from Travis Head at the start, Usman Khawaja controlling most of that innings, Steve Smith coming out and playing like the wizard he is in those conditions, and then Josh Inglis on debut to score a Test match 100 is a really special moment for him. Then the bowlers, Kuhnemann, Lyon, Murphy and Starc were all spot on the money. When you have got players of that quality - a bit like the women's team, play as well as they do - there are not too many teams that can go near them.

"Sri Lanka at the moment, unfortunately, I cannot see them getting close to Australia on any surface," added Paine.

Also Read: Travis Head opens up on Australia's batting puzzle in Sri Lanka Test series

The second Test in Galle starting on Thursday, February 6 will mark Australia's final red-ball game of the 2023-25 cycle of the World Test Championship. They will then lock horns with South Africa at Lord's in June in a bid to win their second-consecutive WTC.