Sri Lanka is set to host Australia for a 2-match ODI series which would serve as dress rehearsal for the visitors who will fly to Pakistan after the conclusion of the series to begin their 2025 ICC Champions Trophy campaign against arch-rivals England.
When will the SL vs Aus 2025 ODIs be played?
The two ODIs will be played on February 12 and February 14 at 10 am Local Time at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The capital city will host both matches of the series as the Kangaroos will be looking to get acclimatized to the ODI format and the spin-friendly conditions.
SL vs Aus 2025 ODIs: Team News
While Sri Lanka has no fitness concerns with Pathum Nissanka recovering from a groin strain due to which the opening batter had to miss the first test against Australia. He recovered in time for the second test and will be available for the upcoming 2-match ODI series as well.
On the other hand, Australia is in a crisis ahead of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy as skipper Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the tournament with an ankle injury while Josh Hazlewood, who has already missed a lot of international cricket in the last two months, will miss the eight-team tournament as well with a hip injury.
Presenting the Sri Lanka vs Australia ODI Trophy!
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) February 11, 2025
A battle of cricketing giants awaits as Sri Lanka and Australia gear up for an electrifying ODI series! Who will lift this prestigious trophy? Stay tuned for all the action! #SLvsAUS #SriLankaCricket pic.twitter.com/LYCclb5VMP
Mitchell Marsh was already ruled out of the Champions Trophy with a back injury and Marcus Stoinis has also announced his retirement from the ODI format to focus more on T20 cricket leaving two more huge holes in Australia’s squad.
Cricket Australia chief selector George Bailey expressed disappointment over the unavailability of their premier fast bowlers but he feels that it’s a great opportunity for other players to perform in a major tournament.
A part of the test team, Sean Abbott and Cooper Connolly, have been included in the white-ball series squad as well with several white-ball specialists in Ben Dwarshuis, Spencer Johnson, Tanveer Sangha, and Jake Fraser-McGurk flown in for the two-match series to comprise the 17-member squad for the visitors.
Steve Smith also had some issues while fielding during the second innings of the second test but the visitors didn’t require their stand-in skipper to bat in the second innings leaving a few question marks on the veteran batter’s fitness ahead of the Champions Trophy.
SL vs AUS 2025 ODIs: Full Squad Lists
Sri Lanka
Charith Asalanka (c), Kusal Mendis (wk), Nishan Madushka, Nuwanidu Fernando, Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Eshan Malinga, Mohamed Shiraz, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana
Australia
Sean Abbott, Alex Carey (wk), Josh Inglis (wk), Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matthew Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa
