Australia will play two Tests in Galle on their tour of Sri Lanka from late January, which could be vital in deciding who reaches the final of the World Test Championship, while an ODI has been added to the trip as preparation for the Champions Trophy.
Depending on how the five-match Border-Gavaskar series plays out, the series may be crucial to both side’s hopes of reaching Lord’s in June.
The Tests will be held from January 29-February 2 and February 6-10. The ODI will then take place on February 13 at a venue still to be confirmed with the teams then scheduled to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.
“We’ll see what that looks like closer to the time,” head coach Andrew McDonald said. “We’ve got a couple of players in Mitch Marsh and Travis Head taking paternity leave at the moment. So we respect that if that was to unfold for that particular time and if he wants to miss a Test. If he’s got bigger things to take care of than a Test match in Sri Lanka, then that’s fine with us.”
Australia are due to arrive on January 20 which means those in the squad with BBL deals may be available until close to the end of the regular season.
“I think if we’re really going to be serious about the young spinners going over there, whoever is going to accompany Nathan [Lyon], is the Big Bash the best preparation?” he told ESPNcricinfo. “I’d be encouraging the selectors to let these spinners be going earlier and then I’d be encouraging those spinners to practice with a red ball in between Big Bash games.”
