SL vs AUS 2025: Schedule revised to accommodate extra ODI ahead of Champions Trophy

SL vs AUS 2025: Schedule revised to accommodate extra ODI ahead of Champions Trophy (Source: TAUSEEF MUSTAFA/AFP via Getty Images)

Australia are set to travel to Sri Lanka for a multi-format series, which also includes a couple of Test matches. In the original schedule, only one 50-over game was arranged, however, in the light of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, an extra ODI has been added to the revised schedule for the series. An extra ODI will not only help in warm-up for the multinational event, but also help the Aussies get accustomed to the subcontinent conditions.

It was already decided that Australia will play two Test matches against Sri Lanka, which will also be the final series of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle. The Aussies have already made it to the finals of the WTC, which they will be playing against South Africa at Lord’s, London in June 2025.

Earlier, the planned solitary One-Dayer was arranged on February 12, post which both the teams were supposed to travel for the Champions Trophy, however, the additional fixture will now be played on February 14. It is important to note that both the fixtures will be played at the iconic R. Premadasa Stadium (RPS), in Colombo.

Lanka and Aussies in their last ODI series

The last ODI series the Lankan Lions played was against New Zealand, where they faced a 2-1 loss. The highest run scorer for Sri Lanka was Kamindu Mendis who scored 113 runs at an average of 37.66 and the highest wicket-taker was Maheesh Theekshana finishing with seven wickets, featuring in a couple of games.

Australia, on the other hand, might have had a great Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India but had a disappointing ODI series against Pakistan where they were whitewashed by the visitors at home. Steven Smith was the highest run-getter for Australia with a poor 79 runs in the three-match series, and Mitchell Starc was their highest wicket-taker with only three wickets in the two matches he played.

Revised Schedule for Australia tour of Sri Lanka 2025: