Sri Lanka keen to extend successful run of last year against Australia

Captains Steve Smith (Australia) and Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka) with trophy that will be awarded to winner of ODI series 

Glenn Maxwell attempts reverse sweep during practice yesterday

Dunith Wellalage prepares for today’s contest in nets

• Meet the world’s no. 1 ranked team in 2 ODIs starting today

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Sri Lanka who had one of their most successful runs in ODI cricket last year hope to extend that trend to 2025 when they play the number one ranked side and Cricket World Cup champions Australia in a two-match series commencing at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium today commencing 10 a.m.

Sri Lanka’s ODI success is marked by the fact that they have risen in their ICC rankings from 8th to 6th by virtue of winning five out of seven bilateral series last year and having four of their cricketers named in the ICC Men’s ODI Team of the Year 2024 which included Asalanka as the captain, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis and Wanindu Hasaranga. 

“We received this recognition because we have been performing well as a country and as a team in the past 6-7 months. From that it is quite clear, we have been performing consistently in the one-day format. Now it is done and dusted, we must look forward to the next year and see whether we can get a few others included and for those already there how they should improve their performances,” said Sri Lanka’s White Ball Captain Charith Asalanka at the pre-match media conference yesterday.

Talking of Sri Lanka’s approach to the series which is their first for 2025, Asalanka said, “If you take the ODIs, it’s a process. We are playing these matches with the 2027 Cricket World Cup in mind. In the process these are two important matches for us because if you take Australia, they are a very strong side wherever you play them. The matches are important for us to perform well and improve our confidence as we move forward.”

“Playing Australia, the no. 1 ranked and World Cup champion team is a challenge. They are successful and talented. What we have in our favour is our home conditions. Having performed well in New Zealand, the confidence that comes from the wins is very important. Home advantage doesn’t come easily, we have to work hard towards it. Looking forward to winning both matches.”

As regards the surface on which the two matches will be played, Asalanka said, “We know that spin is our main weapon. We must prepare wickets that help our spinners. If you go overseas the home side prepares wickets that are friendly to them. We must be able to win matches through spin. That doesn’t mean we prepare bad wickets. There are high scoring pitches as well as low scoring pitches, sometimes due to the weather you can get an underprepared wicket which can happen with any country.”

Asalanka said that Sri Lanka had not finalised their eleven but added, “We last played New Zealand at home, it will be almost the same combination. We will go with two seamers and three spinners.”

Sri Lanka will be playing a day game after quite some time and Asalanka said that it is a challenge.

“I think we are playing a day game after 2022 against Afghanistan in Hambantota. There are several players in the side who have just completed a Test series as well as others who have been playing in the ongoing domestic matches. There won’t be much of a difference except for the heat which is extreme these days. That is the biggest challenge. I think our players are quite fit.”

Australia is using the two matches against Sri Lanka in preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy starting 19 February of which Sri Lanka are not part of.

“It is very unfortunate as players, for our supporters and those who support Sri Lanka cricket that we are not playing in the Champions Trophy. There is no point regretting it, we must ensure that it doesn’t happen again. but try in the future to see how we can win another World Cup, Champions Trophy or Asia Cup. As players and as a team we must try to repeat history by performing well. We are working towards that.”

Switching over from red ball to white ball cricket Steve Smith who will lead Australia in the two ODIs said, “Some of the groups here have been playing a bit of Big Bash cricket. They have been playing white ball cricket. The guys who have been playing red ball cricket just need to get in tune with the 50-over format. I don’t think it takes too much for most of the guys these days to just get back into the swing of things and get the pace of the game.”

On playing day matches: “Day games are quite different. I am not sure to be honest when I last played a day game. Not sure what the wicket looks like. Whatever we do it’s going to be warm out there and looking forward to the game.”

“I would be lying if the Champions Trophy wasn’t in front of our minds. It’s a big ICC tournament for us. Was talking to Charith and unfortunately Sri Lanka won’t be there. For us it is in front of our minds we will be doing everything we can to finish the two-match series well while we are in Sri Lanka.”