Australia vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test: Dream11 Prediction, Playing XI Updates and Fantasy Cricket Tips- January 24th, 2019

With the cricketing summer still underway, Australia now take on Sri Lanka in the longer format as they try and salvage pride after a disappointing run against India in the test and ODI series.

While Australia are on the mend themselves with as many as three young players ready to make a mark in international cricket, Sri Lanka have a lot to ponder themselves with an eventful test series against New Zealand proving that they are still some way off the charts.

With the match set to be held at The Gabba, the first test match between Sri Lanka and Australia should be able to provide the entertainment which the test format has been offering off late.

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Squads to choose from:

Australia

Tim Paine (c/wk), Joe Burns, Pat Cummins, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Kurtis Patterson, Will Pucovski, Matt Renshaw, Jhye Richardson, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc

Sri Lanka

Dinesh Chandimal (c), Dimuth Karunaratne (vc), Dushmantha Chameera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Lahiru Kumara, Suranga Lakmal, Kusal Mendis, Dilruwan Perera, Kusal Perera, Kasun Rajitha, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Lakshan Sandakan, Roshen Silva, Lahiru Thirimanne

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Playing XI Updates:

Australia:

Joe Burns is back and Kurtis Patterson is set to make his debut. Travis Head should bat at number six with Tim Paine leading the side and batting at number seven. With Josh Hazelwood's injury, Jhye Richardson is set to get play.

Australia XI: Marcus Harris, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Kurtis Patterson, Tim Paine (c/wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Jhye Richardson, Nathan Lyon.

Sri Lanka:

While Sri Lanka did lose the test series against New Zealand, the fight Angelo Mathews and Kusal Mendis put up in the first test was batting of the highest order and proves that Sri Lanka are no pushovers by any means.

With Angelo Mathews unavailable, Lahiru Thirimanne is set to make a comeback to the side after a brief hiatus. Danushka Gunathilaka has been sacked after a disastrous tour of New Zealand and should be replaced by Thirimanne at the top of the order.

The bowling unit should comprise of Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara and Dushmantha Chameera with Dilruwan Perera playing as the lone spinner.

Possible XI: Karunaratne, Thirimanne, Chandimal(C), Mendis, de Silva, Roshen Silva, Dickwella(WK), Perera, Lakmal, Kumara and Chameera

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Fantasy Tips and Suggestions:

Wicket-keeper: While both keepers are slated to bat deep down the order, which isn't an issue in test cricket, Niroshan Dickwella should be the preferred choice over Tim Paine with the Sri Lankan in good touch throughout the New Zealand tour. His flamboyant style of batting is easy on the eye and is effective too.

Batsmen: Usman Khawaja and Marcus Harris were good against India but their inability to score big runs went against the team and they would be eager to rectify the mistake.

Big runs are expected of the two and they should be included in the fantasy teams as well along with star batsman, Kusal Mendis. Either of Karunaratne or Roshen Silva would also be a handy option to go by.

All-rounders: Pat Cummins' talent with ball is well known to one and all, but it has been his batting that has taken the cricketing world by surprise.

The New South Wales pacer has been exemplary with the bat and has put in vital contributions from the lower middle order position. He should be in the fantasy team just on the basis of bowling itself with batting raking in handy points too.

Bowling: Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Suranga Lakmal and Lahiru Kumara are the ideal set of players to select in your fantasy sides.

Lyon is in the best wicket-taking form of his life and cannot be dropped. Similarly, Lakmal too has been in good form with the Sri Lankan even wreaking havoc through New Zealand's top order in the second test.

Captain: Usman Khawaja is the prime candidate for captain with his penchant for runs at The Gabba well known to the cricketing audience.

Either of Pat Cummins or Marcus Harris would also fit the bill with both in-form players ready to feast on a fairly depleted Sri Lankan side.

Fantasy Suggestion #1: Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Usman Khawaja, Marcus Harris, Kusal Mendis, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kurtis Patterson, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Lahiru Kumara and Suranga Lakmal. Captain: Usman Khawaja

Fantasy Suggestion #2: Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Usman Khawaja, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya De Silva, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and Lahiru Kumara. Captain: Pat Cummins.