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After a dominant performance in the Test series, Australia will now take on Sri Lanka in a two-match ODI series before heading to the ICC Champions Trophy. The match will take place at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on 12th February from 9:30 AM onwards. Both teams will look to fine-tune their combinations before the major tournament.
Australia won both Tests convincingly, with Steve Smith, Alex Carey, and Usman Khawaja shining with the bat. Matthew Kuhnemann’s 16 wickets in two Tests proved his worth on spin-friendly pitches. However, Sri Lanka have been on a 10-match winning streak in ODIs and have dominated at home. They will aim to disrupt the Aussies’ momentum.
The last time these teams met in ODIs was during the ICC World Cup 2023, where Australia secured a five-wicket win after Adam Zampa’s four-wicket haul and Mitchell Marsh’s crucial half-century. Sri Lanka, however, have a strong record at R. Premadasa Stadium, winning four out of six ODIs played in 2024 at this venue.
Match Details
| Match | Sri Lanka vs Australia, 1st ODI |
|---|---|
| Date | 12th February 2025 |
| Time | 9:30 AM IST |
| Venue | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
| Format | 50-over ODI |
| Live Streaming | Star Sports, Disney+ Hotstar |
Sri Lanka Preview
Sri Lanka will field a strong playing XI that includes several in-form players. Pathum Nissanka has been a consistent performer in home ODIs, with 766 runs in the last 17 innings, including a double century. Kusal Mendis, the team’s most reliable batter, has amassed 742 runs at an average of 53 in 2024, with a 58-run average at home. His form will be crucial in the middle order.
Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka, and Janith Liyanage add depth to the batting unit. Asalanka has been particularly impressive, scoring 605 runs at an average of 51 while also contributing with the ball, taking 14 wickets in Sri Lanka since 2023.
Sri Lanka’s bowling attack is led by Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, both of whom have been outstanding in ODIs. Hasaranga has scalped 56 wickets in 24 games since last year at an average of 16.39. Theekshana has 59 wickets in 37 innings and will play a key role in restricting the Aussies. Dunith Wellalage and Asitha Fernando will provide support, with Wellalage being an excellent all-rounder for the team.
Key Players: Kusal Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Pathum Nissanka.
Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI
- Charith Asalanka (c)
- Pathum Nissanka
- Avishka Fernando
- Kusal Mendis
- Janith Liyanage
- Dunith Wellalage
- Kamindu Mendis
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Asitha Fernando
- Eshan Malinga
- Maheesh Theekshana
Australia Preview
Australia will use this series as a preparation for the Champions Trophy. Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk will likely open the innings. Both have struggled recently, with a combined average below 25 in the last five ODIs. However, Travis Head, who missed the Pakistan series, could be a key addition. Head has scored 248 runs in his last four ODIs at an impressive average of 82.
Steve Smith, Australia’s top batter since last year, has 306 runs in 10 ODIs at an average of 43. He will be the backbone of the lineup, supported by Josh Inglis, Aaron Hardie, Alex Carey, and Marnus Labuschagne. Inglis was crucial in their 2023 World Cup victory against Sri Lanka, while Carey has been consistent with 164 runs at an average of 82 since last year.
The bowling unit will be led by Mitchell Starc, who has taken 8 wickets in the last 6 ODIs. With Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood unavailable, Nathan Ellis and Sean Abbott will step up. Tanveer Sangha is the only frontline spinner, but Australia might also rely on Head, Labuschagne, and Maxwell for additional spin options.
Key Players: Travis Head, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc.
Australia Predicted Playing XI
- Travis Head
- Matt Short
- Steve Smith
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Josh Inglis
- Alex Carey (wk)
- Aaron Hardie
- Glenn Maxwell
- Sean Abbott
- Mitchell Starc
- Nathan Ellis
Fantasy Team XI
| Player | Role | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | Batter | Sri Lanka |
| Travis Head | Batter | Australia |
| Steve Smith (VC) | Batter | Australia |
| Kusal Mendis (C) | Wicketkeeper | Sri Lanka |
| Josh Inglis | Wicketkeeper | Australia |
| Charith Asalanka | All-rounder | Sri Lanka |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | All-rounder | Sri Lanka |
| Glenn Maxwell | All-rounder | Australia |
| Mitchell Starc | Bowler | Australia |
| Maheesh Theekshana | Bowler | Sri Lanka |
| Nathan Ellis | Bowler | Australia |
Captain: Kusal Mendis
Vice-Captain: Steve Smith
Pitch and Weather Conditions
The weather is expected to be cloudy with temperatures between 23-32°C. The pitch at R. Premadasa Stadium offers early assistance to bowlers but becomes more batter-friendly as the match progresses. Teams will aim for a first-innings score of 250+, with spinners playing a key role in the second half.
Toss Prediction: To Bat
Historically, teams defending a total have won 90 out of 167 ODIs here. The average first-innings score is 231, with the highest being 375. The team winning the toss should opt to bat first.
Match Prediction
Australia enters this match high on confidence after their Test series triumph. However, they are missing four key players. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have been dominant at home and are currently on a 10-match winning streak. While the match is expected to be closely contested, Australia’s experience and recent form give them a slight edge.
Prediction: Australia to win
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