Sri Lanka vs Australia, 2nd Test: Match Preview, Head to Head, Playing XI and Broadcast Details

Sri Lanka will be facing Australia in the second and final Test match at the Galle International Stadium starting Friday, July 8. This is a must-win encounter for the hosts after having suffered a humiliating 10-wicket loss in the opening game last week. Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases have put the Lankan camp in a spot of bother.

After spinner Praveen Jayawickrama tested positive for COVID-19, three more players from the Sri Lankan camp are down asf batter Dhananjaya de Silva, pacer Asitha Fernando, and leggie Jeffrey Vandersay have also tested positive, which means that the Lankan team management has no choice other than making some forced changes.

Australia, on the other hand, showcased a far superior performance on a spin-friendly surface with both the bat and ball and completely outplayed the opposition to take a 1-0 lead in the series. A victory or even a draw here would ensure that the Pat Cummins-led side would register a second straight Test series win in the sub-continent. They had got the better of Pakistan 1-0 in the three-match Test series in March.

Pitch and conditions

In the first Test, many experts reckoned that the pitch was heavily in favour of the spinners, which was proven right with senior Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon doing the bulk of the damage, registering nine wickets including a fifer in the first innings. Things might be no different this time around and yet again a turning track can be expected. Therefore, the captain winning the toss will look to bat first.

Playing Combinations for SL vs AUS

Sri Lanka

With forced changes due to four players testing COVID-19 positive, Sri Lanka would be relying on some of their emerging talents to come out with memorable performances with the series on the line. However, the hosts will also be relieved that senior all-rounder Angelo Mathews, who missed the first game after testing positive for coronavirus, is available for selection.

Predicted XI:  Oshada Fernando, Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka,  Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Angelo Mathews, Lakshita Manasinghe, Maheesh Theekshana, Dinuth Wellalage, Prabath Jayasuriya

Australia

Australia would not be looking to make any changes. With the wicket expected to offer turn, the Aussies have a trump card in the form of off-spinner Lyon, who has the potential of single-handedly bowling match-winning spells for his side.

Predicted XI: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Swepson

SL vs AUS Head to Head

Played – 32 | Sri Lanka – 4 | Australia – 20 | Drawn – 8

SL vs AUS Broadcast Details

Match Timings-  10:00 AM IST

Live Streaming –  Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar app