After Australia’s clean sweep of the Test series, it’s now time for white ball cricket in Colombo, as Sri Lanka and Australia face off in two ODI’s. It’s Australia’s last tune up before the Champions Trophy, and Jack Tobin has you covered with his preview below!
Sri Lanka vs Australia: 1st ODI Preview & Betting Tips
Colombo, Wednesday 12th February, 3:30pm AEDT
Sri Lanka
Squad: Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Nishan Madushka, Nuwanidu Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Mohamed Shiraz, Eshan Malinga
Although they didn’t qualify for the Champions Trophy, Sri Lanka haven’t revitalised their squad, with Chamindu Wickramasinghe (omitted) the only change from their last ODI series against New Zealand in January. Sri Lanka lost that series 2-1 after being hammered by 9 wickets and 113 runs in the first two games of the series.
After a horror performance at the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup where they had a 2-7 record and a ninth placed finish, which saw them miss qualification for the Champions Trophy, 2024 was an improved year in ODI cricket for Sri Lanka. From 18 ODI matches Sri Lanka had a 12-2-3 record, winning six of their seven series. It’s a promising record, however outside of their 2-0 triumph against India, they didn’t play against the better sides in world cricket.
Sri Lanka had the leading run scorer with Kusal Mendis (742 runs at an average of 53) and the leading wicket taker with Wanindu Hasaranga (26 wickets at an average of 15.61) in ODI cricket for the calendar year of 2024. Mendis was the leading run scorer in the last ODI series played between the two sides in 2022, scoring 249 runs at an average of 83.
Australia
Squad: Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Spencer Johnson, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa
Australia have had an abundance of changes with Pat Cummins (ankle), Josh Hazlewood (hip), Mitch Marsh (back) and Marcus Stoinis (retired) ruled out of the Champions Trophy. Sean Abbott, Cooper Connolly, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Ben Dwarshuis, Spencer Johnson and Tanveer Sangha have been added to the squad for this series, and will be fighting for the final four spots in the squad for the Champions Trophy.
Australia’s dominant run in ODI cricket came to an end in November, with an undermanned side losing 2-1 at home with a poor batting series. Australia had won 14 straight ODI’s between October 2023 and September 2024, the third longest winning streak in the history of ODI cricket. Australia have won 11 of their last 16 ODI series, however they have a relatively inexperienced outfit in this series.
Only eight of the seventeen players in the Australia squad for this series were a part of the 2023 World Cup winning squad, as the Aussies certainly look set for a regeneration of the side after the Champions Trophy. Australia will be desperate for some of their youngsters to perform in this series, which they were unable to do against Pakistan in November.
Match Prediction
Sri Lanka have a strong record at R.Premadasa Stadium where both games will be played this series, with six wins, one tie, one no result and two losses from their last ten games. The hosts have won eleven of the last thirteen completed One Day Internationals at home, and produced a 3-2 series win at home against Australia in 2022.
Sri Lanka have been in good form over the last twelve months in this format, and have played a lot more ODI cricket than Australia have post the 2023 World Cup. Sri Lanka will be desperate to bounce back after a horror performance in the Test series, and they provide plenty of value against an inexperienced Australian side. Sri Lanka have won three of the last four ODI’s in Sri Lanka against Australia, and will start the series with a win.
Sri Lanka to Win
$2.90 (1 Unit)
Prop Bet
Wanindu Hasaranga had a stellar 2024 in ODI cricket, taking 26 wickets at an average of 15.61. It came on the back of a career best 28 wickets in 2023, as he firmly established himself as one of the best spinners in the world. Hasranga will be a massive key for Sri Lanka in this series, and will give the Aussies plenty of troubles.
Wanindu Hasaranga – Top Sri Lanka Bowler
$5.30
