Cricket Match Prediction | Sri Lanka vs Australia | 1st ODI | Feb 12 – Can AUS again dominate SL in this ODI series?

SL vs AUS Match Analysis

Sri Lanka vs Australia will play each other in the 1st match of the two-match ODI series on February 12, 2025, at 10:30 AM BST at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.

Sri Lanka have dropped seam-bowling all-rounder Chamindu Wickramasinghe from their squad for the upcoming two-match ODI series against Australia on home soil. This is the only change from the squad that recently toured New Zealand. Currently, on a 10-match winning streak, Sri Lanka has also claimed victory in six consecutive bilateral series at home. They have the opportunity to disrupt the visitors’ momentum before the Champions Trophy.

Australia secured victories in both Tests against Sri Lanka. In the first match, they triumphed by nine wickets, with Steve Smith and Alex Carey both notching centuries. The second Test saw an even more dominant performance, as they claimed an innings-and-242-run win, fueled by Usman Khawaja’s double century and another hundred from Smith. Matthew Kuhnemann was outstanding with the ball, taking 16 wickets across the two matches. His impressive form has boosted Australia’s confidence ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy, where spin-friendly conditions are expected to play a crucial role.

SL vs AUS Team Preview & Squads

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka will field the same eleven players that played against New Zealand for the upcoming ODI series. Pathum Nissanka will open the innings alongside Avishka Fernando. Nissanka has been in superb form in the last 17 ODIs played in Sri Lanka, accumulating 766 runs, including a double century, two centuries, and five fifties. Fernando, his partner, has an average of just above thirty. Kusal Mendis will come in at number three and is expected to be a key player. In 2024, he scored 742 runs at an average of 53, with 638 of those runs coming in Sri Lanka at an average of 58, including a fifty-plus score in every three matches.

Kamindu Mendis will join skipper Charith Asalanka and Janith Liyanage in the middle order. Mendis has averaged over 50 in his last six ODIs, while Asalanka has been in outstanding form with both bat and ball over the past two years. In 16 games, he has scored 605 runs at an average of 51 and has taken 14 wickets in his last 14 games in Sri Lanka at an average of under 20. Liyanage also has an average above 45 in the middle order and could solidify his spot in the team for the upcoming year if he can handle the Australian attack.

Wanindu Hasaranga will spearhead the bowling attack, supported by Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Eshan Malinga, and Asitha Fernando. Hasaranga has been in incredible form, taking 56 wickets in 24 games since 2023 at an average of 16.39, making him a key bowler to watch. Theekshana has 59 wickets in 37 innings at an average of just above 23. Wellalage, who missed the last ODI against New Zealand, could be a valuable addition to the lineup, with 18 wickets in his last 12 matches in SL.

Sri Lanka Squads

Sri Lanka

Nuwanidu Fernando, Avishka Fernando, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Eshan Malinga, Mohamed Shiraz, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dunith Wellalage.

Australia 

Australia views the upcoming series as preparation for the Champions Trophy. Matthew Short will open the innings alongside Jake Fraser-McGurk, though neither has impressed in the last five ODIs, with their combined batting average below 25. Travis Head could be selected ahead of Fraser-McGurk. Head missed the series against Pakistan but has scored 248 runs in the last four ODIs at an impressive average of 82. Notably, Head is the only Australian batter to have scored a century since the start of last year, making him a key player to watch.

Steven Smith will bat at number three and has been AUS’s top run-scorer since last year, with 306 runs in 10 ODIs at an average of 43. Josh Inglis will be joined in the middle order by Aaron Hardie, Alex Carey, and Marnus Labuschagne. Inglis has scored 219 runs at an average of 36 since last year and played a crucial role in Australia’s World Cup win against Sri Lanka. Both Hardie and Labuschagne have struggled, each scoring less than 150 runs in their last seven innings. Australia may also include Glenn Maxwell, despite his current lack of form. Carey has been solid, with 164 runs in four ODIs since last year, averaging 82.

With Adam Zampa left out and Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood withdrawing, Mitchell Starc will lead the bowling attack, supported by Nathan Ellis and Sean Abbott. Starc has taken 8 wickets in the last 6 ODIs at an economy rate of 7, while Abbott has claimed 7 wickets in 8 ODIs. Tanveer Sangha is the sole spinner in the squad, but Australia will rely on Head, Labuschagne, and Maxwell to cover the spinner’s quota. Head has taken 6 wickets in his last two ODIs.

Australia Squads

Australia

Alex Carey, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Matthew Short, Steven Smith, Sean Abbott, Cooper Connolly, Aaron Hardie, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, Tanveer Sangha, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood.

Sri Lanka vs Australia outfield report

R.Premadasa Stadium Colombo

In the 167 ODIs that have been played here, teams defending the target have won 90 of them, while those chasing it have won 65. Batting should begin with the team that wins the toss. On match day, overcast conditions with temperatures between 23 and 32 degrees Celsius are predicted for R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. There will be 6–11 km/h winds coming from the southeast.

The pitch provides a pleasant bounce in the early stages, which is advantageous to bowlers. Batsmen can play their shots with ease as the game progresses and the pitch ages.

SL vs AUS Head-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches

SL has won three in their last five encounters and AUS has won two.

Sri Lanka vs Australia Prediction

Cricket analysts predict Australia has a 66% chance of winning.

Disclaimer: This cricket prediction is based on the author’s insights and analysis. Readers should consider the points discussed and draw their own conclusions.