Sri Lanka has completed a whitewash series win by 2-0 and an inexperienced Aussie line-up in absence of skipper Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis and Mitchell Marsh, their frontline and secondary pacers, have been served a trailer of how ugly things could get for th
Australia pacer Spencer Johnson opened up on replacing Mitchell Starc in the Aussie squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 and said that "he will be able to replicate" what the 35-year-old has done.
With this win, Sri Lanka is 1-0 up in the two-match series. A depleted Australian side without regular players like skipper Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Marsh and a retired Marcus Stoinis, have received a serious jolt, a trailer of how things could be during the ICC
Australia was already dealing with significant setbacks following the injuries to Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Marsh. Starc's withdrawal further depletes their frontline pace attack for the tournament, which begins on February 19 in Pakistan and the UAE.
Smith had a moment of redemption as after a 0-3 loss to Lankan Lions in Sri Lanka back in 2016, his men finally got something to rejoice as they secured their first series win in Sri Lanka in 14 years.
Australia delivered a strong all-round performance, filled with record-breaking efforts from Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon to defeat Sri Lanka by an innings and 242 runs to retain the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy and take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
The feeling of making history on his Test debut hasn't sunk in Australia's Josh Inglis. On Day 2 of the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, the 29-year-old struck the fastest century on his red-ball debut for the Baggy Greens.
At the end of the day's play, Sri Lanka was 44/3, with Dinesh Chandimal (9*) and Kamindu Mendis (13*) unbeaten in reply to Australia's 654/6 declared in the first innings. They trailed by 610 runs.
Australia stand-in captain Steven Smith advised his teammates, who hold minimal experience in the sub-continent to be "proactive" against Sri Lankan spinners in Galle.
Pat Cummins headlines Australia's preliminary 15-player squad for the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025, marking his return as captain. Cummins will lead the team in Pakistan but will miss the upcoming Test tour to Sri Lanka later this month due to an ankle injury.