Sri Lanka v Australia Test series: 5 players to watch out for

The upcoming Test series between Sri Lanka and Australia promises to be highly exciting. For a change, the hosts start out as the ones with a disadvantage. The Sri Lankan side is totally depleted with injury issues. Instead, Australia will begin as the favourites. With all the crucial names returning after overcoming their own injury problems, the visitors have a clear benefit if we have a glance at the line-ups on paper. Both the sides have individuals who will be very crucial in determining their team’s success. Here in this analysis, we try to list out 5 such players who will have the eyeballs gauged at them throughout the series.

1. Joe Burns:

Joe Burns has had a great time in the Australia Test set up ever since returning from the one-year hiatus after making his debut. He scored two half-centuries in his comeback game against India earlier last year and followed it up with another half-century and a ton against New Zealand at home. He continued his fine for hitting two more centuries against West Indies and New Zealand. But, all these good performances have come in slightly familiar conditions and batting in the testing turning surfaces will question his batting abilities. Therefore, there would be pressure for him do well. A great tour in these spin friendly alien condition will add weight to his growing reputation.

2. Nathan Lyon:

Nathan Lyon now has tons of experience playing in such environment. In fact, he knows the Sri Lankan condition much better that any other bowler in the current squad. Lyon began his Test career in the tear-shaped island and had a fairly successful time taking 8 wickets in three matches. It has been five years since then and is inching towards the 200-wicket mark. Lyon will be very crucial to his team’s success. With fairly inexperienced opposition against him, the off-spinner has a great opportunity to dominate and lead his team to victory.

3. Mitchell Starc:

Mitchell Starc, after a long time, will play pain-free. The past 12 months or so have been quite tough for him as he struggled with a troublesome ankle. The injury forced him to miss most of the action this year. But, he is now fully fit and after playing a highly successful tri-series, he is probably fully prepared to unleash his thunderbolts at the oppositions. If you have speed and a smart brain to compliment it, you can be effective in any conditions. Starc falls into that category. His ability to make the old ball reverse in the condition where the ball gets scuffed up quite early makes him lethal at any point of the of the game. Everyone will be looking forward to watch him in action in the series.

Also read – Australia v Sri Lanka – A one sided affair!

4. Angelo Mathews:

Angelo Mathews is perhaps in the biggest distress of his cricketing life. Probably, he would have been never in such state of helplessness during his stint as captain. Injuries have broken the back of the team. His team is completely depleted. Both batting and bowling departments look hollow. And, there is only one man who can add some firepower to it – Angelo Mathews. If Sri Lanka wish to put up a good show against the full-strength Australian side then Mathews has to do well in both the departments.

5. Rangana Herath:

Sri Lanka’s lead spinner Rangana Herath will be the man – in- charge of the bowling attack. The veteran is a pure match-winner at home and the Australians have acknowledged his threat openly. Herath will be Sri Lanka’s main weapon in the series. The fast bowling has lost its zing after the exclusion of Dhammika Prasad, Suranga Lakmal, and Dushmantha Chameera. The only experienced name they have with them in the pace bowling attack is Nuwan Pradeep. Therefore, in a way, Herath’s performances will directly have an impact on the results for the hosts.

Also read – SL v AUS, 1st Test Preview: Australia begin as stern favorites