Australia will play two Tests in Galle on their tour of Sri Lanka starting in late January, which could be vital in deciding who makes the final of the World Test Championship, while an ODI has been added to the trip in preparation for the Trophy of Champions.
Depending on how the five-match Border-Gavaskar series unfolds, the series could be crucial for both sides’ hopes of reaching Lord’s in June.
The Tests will be held from January 29 to February 2 and from February 6 to 10. The ODI will be held on February 13 at a venue yet to be confirmed and the teams will travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.
“We’ll see what that looks like as the time gets closer,” head coach Andrew McDonald said. “We have a couple of players in Mitch Marsh and Travis Head taking paternity leave at the moment. So we respect that if that develops at that particular time and if he wants to miss a test. If he has more important things to do, take care of that a Test match in Sri Lanka, so that’s fine for us.”
“I think if we’re really going to get serious about young spinners going there, whoever goes with Nathan [Lyon]”Is the Big Bash the best preparation?” he told ESPNcricinfo. “I would be encouraging the selectors to let these spinners work early and then I would encourage them to practice with a red ball between Big Bash games.”
