Sri Lanka Updates Australia Series Schedule, Adds ODI for Champions Trophy Prep

Sri Lanka has added an extra ODI for Australia on February 14, who will kick off their Champions Trophy campaign against England on February 22 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

On Wednesday, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Board revealed that an extra game has been added to their upcoming home series against Australia, which will begin on January 29 in Galle.

The series was initially scheduled to include two Test matches for the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy and a single One-Day International before Australia travels to Pakistan for the upcoming eight-team ICC Champions Trophy.

The hype surrounding the Test series has lessened since the Australians eliminated the World Test Championship points table by defeating India 3-1 at home to go to the final. Sri Lanka, rated fifth, can finish as high as third if they defeat the Australians 2-0 in Galle during the Test series.

However, after failing to qualify for the Champions Trophy for the first time in tournament history, Sri Lanka has added an ODI against Australia on February 14. On February 22, the Australians will face England at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore to begin their Champions Trophy campaign. The two matches will be their sole preparation games before the competition. Australia confirmed their roster on January 13, with an ailing Pat Cummins designated captain of the provisional squad. However, Steve Smith will head the Test team in Sri Lanka in his absence.

The 2023 ODI World Cup champions have only made three changes to their title-winning lineup, with Matt Short, Aaron Hardie, and Nathan Ellis replacing retiring David Warner, Cameron Green, and Sean Abbott in the 15-man roster.

Updated Sri Lanka vs Australia Series Schedule

First Test: January 29 - February 2, Galle.

Second Test: 6-10 February, Galle

First ODI: February 12, Colombo

Second ODI: February 14, Colombo.