As Australia prepares to face Sri Lanka in the second Test at Galle, starting on February 6, stand-in captain Steve Smith has given full confidence to number three batter Marnus Labuschagne, who continues to struggle with form. With Australia leading the two-match series 1-0, the visitors have already booked their ticket to the ICC World Test Championship final. For Sri Lanka, the two-match series will be a chance to end their most successful WTC campaign on a high.
Labuschagne Form in Question
Marnus Labuschagne’s recent Test cricket form has been under the scanner. In 24 Tests played since the commencement of 2023, he has scored 1,295 runs at an average of 31.58, and only one century and 10 fifties have come off his bat. The maximum score he has made in those Tests is 111.
In the current WTC series, Labuschagne has scored 905 runs from 34 innings averaging below par with 28.28, coupled with one century and eight half-centuries. His going was witnessed in the first Test at Galle where he scored a paltry 20 runs in the first innings before Australia thumped the match with an enormous margin.
Labuschagne Vote of Confidence By Smith
Despite the lean patch, Steve Smith has shut down doubts regarding Labuschagne’s playing time. Speaking before the second Test, Smith reiterated that Labuschagne is a fundamental player of the batting line-up for Australia and that he would likely soon regain his form.
“Marnus has been batting pretty well in the nets and is just close to getting a big one. We have total confidence in his ability, especially in these conditions,” said Smith.
Possible Team Changes – Cooper Connolly in Line for Test Debut
With spin-friendly conditions likely to prevail once again at Galle, Australia is looking at making changes to their playing XI. Young spin-bowling all-rounder Cooper Connolly might make his Test debut, probably replacing off-spinner Todd Murphy.
Connolly, who impressed in Australia’s domestic circuit and U-19 cricket, could provide an additional spin option while strengthening the batting lineup. However, Smith mentioned that the final decision would be made after assessing the pitch closer to the match.
Sri Lanka Aims to End WTC Cycle on a High
Sri Lanka will come back hard on the Australian side after being beaten by an innings and 242 runs in the first Test. The hosts, who have been good throughout this WTC cycle, would look to sign off with a win against a powerhouse Australian team.
2nd Test Squads
Australia Squad:
Steve Smith (c)
Sean Abbott
Scott Boland
Alex Carey
Cooper Connolly
Travis Head (vc)
Josh Inglis
Usman Khawaja
Sam Konstas
Matt Kuhnemann
Marnus Labuschagne
Nathan Lyon
Nathan McSweeney
Todd Murphy
Mitchell Starc
Beau Webster
Sri Lanka Squad:
Dhananjaya de Silva (c)
Dimuth Karunaratne
Pathum Nissanka (subject to fitness)
Oshada Fernando
Lahiru Udara
Dinesh Chandimal
Angelo Mathews
Kamindu Mendis
Kusal Mendis
Sadeera Samarawickrama
Sonal Dinusha
Prabath Jayasuriya
Jeffrey Vandersay
Nishan Peiris
Asitha Fernando
Vishwa Fernando
Lahiru Kumara
Milan Rathnayake
Match Information
Match: 2nd Test – Sri Lanka vs Australia
Date: February 6, 2025
Venue: Galle International Stadium
Time: 10:00 AM IST
The second Test is likely to be a real contest between bat and ball as Australia would look to wrap up the series while Sri Lanka will look to redeem themselves.