Australia v Sri Lanka: All you need to know

What is it?

A two-Test series for the Warne-Muralitharan trophy, to be contested in Brisbane (day-night match) and Canberra.

When is it?

The first Test starts this Thursday, January 24 at the Gabba. The toss is at 12.30pm local, with play to start from 1pm. The second Test begins on February 1 at Manuka Oval, with the toss at 10am local and play from 10.30am. 

What are the form lines?

Australia lost their most recent home Test series to India, 2-1. It was the first time India have ever won a Test series in Australia, with Virat Kohli's side capitalising on a host nation in a state of flux under the new leadership of captain Tim Paine and head coach Justin Langer. Prior to that, Australia lost a two-Test series against Pakistan in the UAE last October 1-0. Sri Lanka were soundly beaten by third-ranked New Zealand in the second Test in Christchurch recently after showing admirable fight to draw the first match in that series. 

Who are the players to watch?

For the Aussies, Marcus Harris looks close to converting one of his promising starts into a big score. The left-handed opener is entering his second Test series and looked in excellent touch in the first innings in Sydney, making an entertaining 79. With the ball, Pat Cummins has continued his impressive rise and looks the man most likely to take advantage of whatever help is offered to the quicks by the Gabba pitch in the opening Test. Sri Lankan supporters will be desperate to see Kusal Mendis take his place in the middle order after he was cleared of a fractured finger in Hobart. The 23-year-old already has six Test hundreds to his name, including a recent rearguard effort to save a Test against the Black Caps in Wellington. With the ball, aside from the obvious spin threat, keep an eye on 21-year-old quick Lahiru Kumara, who took nine wickets in two Tests in New Zealand and may well enjoy the livelier conditions in Brisbane. 

What are the key stats?

A few of note:

- Sri Lanka have played 13 Tests in Australia for 11 defeats and two draws. A win in Brisbane or Canberra would mark their first in this country.

- For the second time in four months, Australia could name three debutants in their Test team. This would require Will Pucovski, Jhye Richardson and Kurtis Patterson all making the final XI.

- Four players from the current Sri Lanka squad – Dinesh Chandimal, Dimuth Karunaratne, Lahiru Thirimanne and Suranga Lakmal – played in their country's last Test in Australia, back in January 2013 in Sydney.

Likewise, three Australia squad members – Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and Peter Siddle – played in that match, which the hosts won by five wickets.

What are the squads?

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, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle

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

Who is missing?

The Aussies are without paceman and vice-captain Josh Hazlewood, who has been diagnosed with an early stage stress fracture in his back. They also continue to be without the services of suspended former leadership pair Steve Smith and David Warner, who are serving the final months of their suspensions. Sri Lanka are missing perhaps their biggest name in allrounder Angelo Mathews due to a hamstring injury, while the same fate befell back-up quick Nuwan Pradeep in the warm-up match in Hobart, ruling him out of the series. 

How do I watch on TV in Australia?

Every day of the Test series will be on Channel Seven, with a commentary team led by Ricky Ponting. For fans with a subscription to Foxtel, the series will be broadcast on the dedicated Fox Cricket channel, with no ads during play. It will also be available in 4K definition for those with the necessary equipment. Fox boast a commentary team featuring Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne and Brett Lee.

How do I stream online in Australia?

For online viewers, every ball will be streamed live through cricket.com.au and the CA Live app with a Kayo subscription. Available with a 14-day free trial, a Kayo subscription will give streaming access to every men's international Test, ODI and T20 played in Australia, every BBL match, all women's internationals on home soil and all 23 televised WBBL matches. It will also give access to more than 50 sports live and on demand across 180 competitions. A monthly subscription costs $25 per month. For full details on the live streaming options, and a comprehensive FAQ, click here.

How do I listen in Australia?

If you can't watch or prefer listening to the radio, live coverage of the series will be provided by ABC Grandstand, Crocmedia and the Macquarie networks. The audio will be streamed via cricket.com.au and the CA Live app, or tune in through your local station.

Drought Relief charity:

The Domain Brisbane Test against Sri Lanka will support Drought Relief, with the Australian cricket community encouraged to rally around this important cause. Funds raised during the Brisbane Test will be used by drought relief charity Rural Aid to distribute hay bales and water to drought-stricken communities in Western Queensland and New South Wales.

Partner Initiatives:

- Specsavers is championing Bales for Boundaries on Day Two of the Domain Brisbane Test, donating $1,000 for every boundary hit across the day to Rural Aid 

- Toyota is raffling a one-of-a-kind commemorative edition Landcruiser 200 Sahara, with tickets being sold at the Domain Brisbane Test

- Thanks to Alinta Energy the water from the Pool Deck will be transported to the Darling Downs region after the Test and final Big Bash fixtures at the Gabba. Fans can also donate a gold coin for an Alinta BBQ item on the Pool Deck throughout the Test

- Qantas donated $1 million to Rural Aid on the way to a total donation figure of $3 million which will be raised with its customers to help provide relief to Australia’s drought affected farming communities

- This year, Lion Beer Australia announced that $1 from each carton of Iron Jack sold in Australia, and 50 cents from each schooner of Iron Jack sold at selected regional venues would be donated to Rural Aid – resulting in more than $1 million raised

- Commonwealth Bank fundraising for drought-affected farmers has exceeded $9.1 million, with $250,000 donated to Rural Aid’s “Buy a Bale” campaign

- Woolworths donated $1.5 million to allow Rural Aid to increase the number of counsellors they have supporting farmers and their families impacted by mental health issues as a result of the drought

- BKT Tyres donated $20,000 to Drought Relief in 2018 and will be supporting Drought Relief efforts at the Test

How do fans at the Gabba get the chance to experience the Pool Deck?

For a chance to spend some time at the Pool Deck, fans are encouraged to come to the match in their best pool attire or post a selfie of them at their pool-ready best, using the hashtag #cricketpooldeck

Domain Test Series v Sri Lanka

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

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

Jan 24-28: First Test, Gabba (D/N)

Feb 1-5: Second Test, Canberra