Australia and Sri Lanka face off in the second and final Test match in Galle. Australia, having won the first Test, aims to secure their first Test series victory in Sri Lanka since 2011.
Australia and Sri Lanka are set to clash in the second and final Test match in Galle this afternoon. This encounter follows closely on the heels of the first Test, which also took place at the same venue last week. Australia, having secured victory in the first match, aims to achieve a significant milestone: winning their first Test series in Sri Lanka since 2011. A victory or even a draw in the second game will be enough to accomplish this feat.
The second Test commences at 10 am local time in Galle. The action will be broadcast live on various platforms, including ABC's digital radio, the ABC listen app, and through the buttons on abc.net.au/sport. In Australia, viewers can catch the game between its main channel and 7mate, as well as through the 7plus app. Notably, Foxtel and Kayo will not be airing the broadcast. Sri Lanka's fielding, particularly on the opening day of the first Test, proved to be a significant obstacle for the hosts, putting them in a hole they were unable to escape. Australia dominated the first Test last week, propelled by Usman Khawaja's exceptional performance, scoring his maiden double century in the first innings. Supported by centuries from Steve Smith and debutant Josh Inglis, Australia amassed 6-654 after winning the toss and batting first. Sri Lanka was subsequently bowled out for 165 and 247. This marked Sri Lanka's heaviest Test defeat, achieved within four days despite a significant portion of day three being washed out by rain. Steve Smith will once again captain the Australian team, having taken over the leadership role from Pat Cummins, who opted to stay home for the birth of his second child. Travis Head's elevation to open the batting in Galle paid off handsomely, as he smashed 57 runs off just 40 balls in the opening game.The Australian squad for the second Test features: Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster. Sri Lanka's squad for the second Test consists of: Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sonal Dinusha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nishan Peiris, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Milan Rathnayake. Australia is likely to maintain a largely consistent batting lineup for the second Test, with Smith indicating that changes to the top six are 'unlikely'. However, Smith has hinted that 'all options are on the table' regarding the bowling lineup, suggesting that Cooper Connolly could potentially be included in the starting eleven. While Labuschagne spent time practicing batting away from the specialists during a training session on Tuesday, he is still expected to take his place in the team. Australia anticipates the wicket to spin even more than in the first Test, where left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann emerged as the most successful bowler. While Travis Head, who claimed 4-10 in Galle in 2022, and Beau Webster offer part-time right-arm spin, Connolly remains the only other left-arm option in the squad. Notably, he bowled a considerable number of overs during practice sessions earlier this week, despite not having taken a wicket in his first-class career and having bowled only 16 overs for WA. Smith commented on Connolly's potential, stating, 'He's another batter that bowls more than handy spin and spins the same way as Kuhnemann. We've got a few that go the same way as Nathan and Todd … We're going to leave it until the last minute. He was pretty consistent when he was bowling in Dubai and in the nets here. That's kind of all you've got to do in these conditions, just try and bowl as many good balls in a good area and let the conditions take over.
AUSTRALIA SRI LANKA CRICKET TEST MATCH GALLLE STEVE SMITH USMAN KHAWAJA FIRST TEST SERIES WIN
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