Sri Lanka vs Australia 2nd Test Match Prediction

Preview

Sri Lanka vs Australia: Can Maheesh Theekshana find a place to torment Australia? Can Australia win and get closer to sealing a place in the WTC FInals? These are few of the questions ahead of another Test which is likely to see more spin than the first. In the first Test, Australia outplayed Sri Lanka with better performances in both the spin bowling and batting department. As a result, Sri Lanka has been forced to make a ring of changes to their bowling attack. They will be having some new spinners in their line-up and with Covid forcing some changes, Sri Lanka might have some fresh faces in the Test arena.

Match Details

Match: Sri Lanka vs Australia

Date: 8th July 2022

Time: 10:00 AM

Venue: Galle International Stadium

Weather Report

Heavy rain is expected on days two and three but the other days of the Sri Lanka vs Australia Test look fine.

Pitch Report

The pitch is expected to be more dry and dusty than the one used in the first Test. Spin is likely to play a role from ball one and batting first will be the best option.

Sri Lanka vs Australia Predicted Playing XI

Sri Lanka Playing XI

Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne(c), Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis/Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella(wk), Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Ashita Fernando, Dunith Wellagale

Australia Playing XI

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

Team News

• Australia is likely to remain unchanged.

• Sri Lanka will have a few changes with a few of their spinners testing positives for Covid-19. In their place, Theekshana and Wellagale are likely to make Test debuts.

Key Players

Niroshan Dickwella

With his range of sweeps and aggressive attitude, Niroshan Dickwella is a vital part of the batting line-up. On turning tracks, his nature will decide how much Sri Lanka can get. If he manages to be himself for a considerable period of time he will definitely have Australia on the backfoot. Putting them on the backfoot will allow Sri Lanka to bat long enough and get a decent score on a track that will start turning quickly.

Nathan Lyon

Nathan Lyon‘s good days continue. He took nine wickets in the previous test, missing a ten because Travis Head came out of nowhere. After years of bowling in Australia though, Nathan Lyon is showing that he can bowl on subcontinent tracks. His five-for came in the venue of his first Test when he took a five-for back in 2011, and Lyon has certainly come a long way. With the ball turning, and Lyon bowling smartly, he is going to be a massive threat yet again.

Sri Lanka vs Australia Match Tips

Although Australia dominated the first Test, Sri Lanka come in with a slight edge thanks to some exciting new faces. The likes of Theekshana had a good time in the ODI series, and know-how to disturb the Australian batters. If they can transfer their talent to Test Cricket Sri Lanka are in with a huge advantage. Given the talent those spinners possess, they should be able to adapt making it a spicy contest.

Match Prediction: Sri Lanka will win the match.