Australia Ready to Take Sri Lanka Challenge

Pallekele: After a gap of four years since their previous tour in 2011, Australia are set to play three Tests on the Sri Lankan soil, starting at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium from Tuesday.

Due to the lack of experience of playing in Sri Lanka it is not wrong to assume the conditions will be almost be alien for Steven Smith-led side.

The unavailability of most of the quality Sri Lankan bowlers might go on to hurt the hosts in this series.

The duo of Dhamika Prasad and Dushmantha Chammera who have played a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s bowling attack has been side-lined with injuries.

Keeping Australia's failure in UAE and India in mind, the series will showcase the battle between Rangana Herath and the buoyant Australian batting line-up. A total of three uncapped spinners – Lakshan Sandakan, Roshan Silva and Dhananjaya de Silva – have been included in the squad.

Prasad, Chammera, Nuwan Pradeep, Shaminda Eranga and Suranga Lakmal formed the nucleus of the Sri Lankan pace attack.

The England tour of Sri Lanka exposed the miserable state of the Sri Lankan batting line-up following the retirement of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.

The side is yet to recover from that loss, leaving the skipper Angelo Mathews to regroup his side. The openers Kausal Silva and Dimuth Karunaratne are the only hope for Sri Lanka and Mathews where the scoring of runs is concerned.

Australia are boosting confidence with the return of David Warner, who has been declared fit for the first Test.

Australian bowling strength has only enhanced with the return of Mitchell Starc. He along with Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Mitchell Marsh will form the pace attack of the visitors.

Teams news

Australia announce starting XI for 1st Test against Sri Lanka. Stephen O'Keefe has been selected as the second spin option ahead of fast bowler Jackson Bird

Australia XI: Joe Burns, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith (c), Adam Voges, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill (wk), Stephen O'Keefe, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc

Sri Lanka (from): Angelo Mathews (c), Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Asitha Fernando, Nuwan Pradeep, Vishwa Fernando, Rangana Herath, Dimuth Karunaratne, Suranga Lakmal, Kusal Mendis, Dilruwan Perera, Kusal Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Roshen Silva, Kaushal Silva

Match facts
July 26-30, 2016
Start time: 10:00 local (04:30 GMT)

Scores	Upcoming	Results
West Indies vs Bangladesh - 3rd T20I South Africa vs Pakistan - 2nd ODI 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 21, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - South Africa v Pakistan - December 22, 12:00 GMT 2nd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Harare Afghanistan won by 232 runs 3rd Test - Australia v India at Brisbane Match drawn

Maxwell Becomes No.1 T20I All-rounder [+]

In ICC T20I Team Rankings, Australia moved from 110 to 114 points to go past England, which has slipped from 116 to 113 after its loss to Pakistan in the one-off T20I.

Maxwell Powers Australia Clinch Thriller [+]

Sri Lanka fought back after Maxwell's belligerent knock, but the visitors got across the line with 13-ball to spare.

Maxwell powers Australia to massive win [+]

The 27-year-old batsman hammered an unbeaten 65-ball 145 to help the visitors post the highest total taken a 1-0 lead.

Rajitha recalled to Sri Lanka T20 squad [+]

Dinesh Chandimal will captain Sri Lanka in their Twenty20 series against Australia.

Finch, Lynn Ruled Out of Sri Lanka T20s [+]

Australia batsmen Aaron Finch and Chris Lynn have been ruled out of the two-match Twenty20 series in Sri Lanka with injuries.

Warner Ton Seals Victory for Australia [+]

Australia clinched the series 4-1 after as they defeated Sri Lanka by 5 wickets thanks to David Warner's knock of 106.

Hastings Star as Australia Clinch Series [+]

Aaron Finch blitzed an 18-ball half-century as Australia chased down 213 with 19 overs to spare, takes an unassailable 3-1 lead.

Bailey helps Australia Leads ODI series 2-1 [+]

Half-centurion George Bailey starred in Australia's tense run chase as the visitors edged past Sri Lanka by two wickets in the third one-day international and took a 2-1 lead in Dambulla on Sunday.

Smith Return home to Rest Ahead of 2016-17 Summer [+]

Vice-captain David Warner will lead the side for the remaining three one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches against Sri Lanka.

Aponso four-for set up series level win [+]

Amila Aponso picked career best four wickets, despite Faulkner hat-trick as SL beat Australia by 82-run, level 5-match series 1-1.