Historically over the years, the Australian team has always found the going tough in Asian conditions. However, they have fared reasonably well in Sri Lanka, where they have won as many as 6 of the 13 matches played.
Much along the same lines, the visitors will go into the first Test as clear favourites against a dilapidated Sri Lankan side which has been ravaged by injuries. This and the fact that Australia are ranked number 1 and Sri Lanka 7 is an indication of the huge gulf in the class of the two sides. And, Australia have a full-strength squad at their disposal, thus the hosts will have all the running to do.
However, Sri Lanka do have players who can pose a considerable threat to the visitors, and here in this list, we take a look at 5 key player battles which might decide the course of the match.
#1 Mitchell Starc vs Angelo Mathews
The Australians love to make statements before the start of any series, this is their part of the 'mind games', and more often than not they single out the opposition captain. Thus, when Mitchell Starc made it clear that he will go after Angelo Mathews, it was certainly not a shout in the dark.
"He's been fantastic as a captain and led from the front as well, so no doubt we'll put a lot of pressure on Angelo to perform. He's got to lead as captain, so he'll be a big wicket for us", Starc said, who is fit and raring to go with the red ball in hand.
Clearly, Angelo Mathews has been the fulcrum around which the Sri Lankan has rotated for quite some time now and the skipper will know that it is up to him to soak all the pressure and perform for his team. Responding to Starc's statements, Mathews was blunt in his assessment as he said that there is bound to be pressure in International games.
"For life is all about pressure. It is nice for people to have expectations, but when you are the captain, I don't think much about expectations", Mathews said.
Clearly, a spicy contest is brewing!
#2 Rangana Herath vs Steven Smith
The Australian captain is without a doubt the best batsman against spin in the line-up and he should ideally stand up and take up the mantle on the spinning and sluggish tracks which will be dished out.
He will be up against Rangana Herath, who is a match-winner in his own right, and on his day can dismantle any opposition. Playing at home, the stocky spinner has picked up 203 wickets in 38 matches with an impressive average of 24.58.
The visitors will know that he cannot be underestimated by any means, and thus Smith will have to show the way forward. He has the technique and the required footwork to counter spin, and all his prowess will be needed against Herath's bag of tricks.
#3 Josh Hazlewood vs Dinesh Chandimal
Ever since his Test debut, Josh Hazlewood has only gone from strength to strength and has fast emerged as a potent weapon for Steve Smith in all formats. He returns to Test cricket, and his nagging line and length outside the off stump have been a cause of concern for many batsmen around the globe.
He is pitted against Dinesh Chandimal, who along with Angelo Mathews forms the core of the Sri Lankan batting. He had a relatively fruitful England series where he displayed solid technique against seam bowling.
Chandimal bats at number 4, which is a very crucial position and he has shown that he has the game suited to Test cricket, where he can drop anchor and play deep or counterattack, as the need may be. Another duel which will be a compelling watch!
#4 Nuwan Pradeep vs David Warner
Nuwan Pradeep was one of the positives to emerge from the otherwise disappointing England tour as he picked up 10 wickets with an average of 31. He regularly troubled the English batting with his sharp pace and disconcerting bounce. With several of the regular seamers out injured, Pradeep will now be the leader of the attack and his form at the top of the order might dictate the outcome of the match.
However, he will be up against David Warner, who is returning from a finger injury and is raring to go. Warner can take apart any bowling attack on his day, and if he gets going, it will spell doom for the hosts. The southpaw has not scored an away Test century since the first Test against Pakistan in Dubai in October 2014, and he will be keen to set this record straight in this series.
#5 Stephen O' Keefe vs Kusal Perera
As has been the norm with the Australian teams over the years, they have announced their playing XI one day before the Test match. As expected left-arm spinner Steven O'Keefe has been included in the squad after he was mighty impressive in the warm-up games and also during the net sessions.
"He's probably bowling as well as I've seen him bowl. In the tour match, he bowled beautifully. He bowled the same ball and some skidded on and some spun. Quite similar to Rangana Herath, the way he bowls in these conditions", Steve Smith, the Australian captain said.
O'Keefe will be up against Kusal Perera who is arguably the most exciting batsman in this Sri Lankan squad who has the ability to grab the match by the scruff of its neck and dictate terms. He is a left-hander too and will be well placed to take on the left-arm spin of O'Keefe.
The left-hander has played many cameos in the recent past and now it is up to him to play few innings of substance and set up games for his side.
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