Australia will attempt to secure a confidence-boosting series whitewash when they meet Sri Lanka in the second test at Canberra’s Manuka Oval from Friday.
Following a disappointing 3-1 loss to the world’s number 1 ranked test side India, Justin Langer’s men completed a three-day, outright dismantlement of Sri Lanka at the Gabba last week and will be full of confidence heading into the second and final test of the summer.
Understandably, Australia have opened as clear $1.16 favourites to defeat Sri Lanka ($8.50) in the second test.
Australia
It was a far more convincing display from Australia in Brisbane, but Sri Lanka are a completely different class of opposition to their subcontinent counterparts at current and there is still plenty of improvements to be made by Tim Paine and co.
Despite rolling the Sri Lankans cheaply in both innings, no Australian was able to make a century and batting remains the major concern ahead of a big year of test cricket including an Ashes tour of England.
Travis Head has probably been Australia’s most consistent performer with the bat all summer and the South Australian went close to notching his maiden test ton at the Gabba; crafting a beautiful 84 before he was dismissed lbw.
Jhye Richardson was outstanding in his debut, taking five wickets cross the two innings, but it was Pat Cummins who again starred – taking ten wickets in the match.
Suggested Bets
Travis Head to Top Score in the 1st Innings ($4.50)
Pat Cummins to take the most wickets in the 1st Innings ($3.25)
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka are also well and truly amidst a rebuild in the test arena and it has been lean pickings for the island nation recently.
Having dropped all three tests against England in November, they did manage to draw the first of two tests in New Zealand in December but were delivered a 423-run hiding by the Blackcaps before arriving in Australia.
There were few shining lights for Sri Lanka in Brisbane, but Niroshan Dickwella did provide some good resistance in the middle order – producing a credible 64 in the first innings and 24 in the second. Suranga Lakmal was the main destroyer with the ball, taking 5/75 off 27 overs.
Captain Dinesh Chandimal was all but unsighted in Brisbane but is an outstanding first drop at his best and will be eager to lead from the front in Canberra.
Suggested Bets
Dinesh Chandimal to Top Score in the 1st Innings ($6)
Suranga Lakmal to take the most wickets in the 1st Innings ($3)