Sri Lanka vs Australia 2nd Test Predictions & Tips - Khawaja to score big again

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 05 Feb 2025

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Ralph Staniforth 05 Feb 2025

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Australia defeated Sri Lanka by an innings and 242 runs in the 1st Test.
Usman Khawaja backed to top score for Aussies.
Sri Lanka's Dinesh Chandimal showed promise with 72 runs.

Usman Khawaja can score big again after his magnificent double ton (Getty images)

Sri Lanka vs Australia Predictions

Australia hammered Sri Lanka in the first Test, and I don’t see the hosts bouncing back from that hiding. I’m backing Australia to win and Usman Khawaja to continue his form.

Sri Lanka vs Australia Predictions
Head to Head
Sri Lanka Form
Sri Lanka Injuries & Team News
Australia Form
Australia Injuries & Team News

Sri Lanka have lost their last 3 Test matches.
Sri Lanka’s Dinesh Chandimal scored 72 runs in the 1st innings of the 1st Test.
Australia have won 4 of their last 6 Test matches.
Australia have qualified for the World Test Championship final.
Australia’s Usman Khawaja scored 232 runs in the 1st Test.

Head to Head

Australia have won three of their last five Test matches against Sri Lanka. The last time they met, in 2022, Sri Lanka won the second Test after the Aussies won the first.

Sri Lanka Form

Sri Lanka were well beaten in the first Test and will be looking to bounce back to level the series in the final fixture of the series.

Bowling first in Galle, Sri Lanka conceding a massive 654 runs before Australia declared. The home batsmen didn’t go as well as the Aussies and were bowled out for 165 runs. Dinesh Chandimal scored 72 runs with very few other contributors.

The follow-on was enforced but Sri Lanka again struggled and were bowled out for 247 runs. Jeffrrey Vandersay was the pick of the batsmen with a positive 53 runs while a few others got starts but never kicked on.

Sri Lanka Injuries & Team News

After a disappointing first Test, the hosts will look to make some changes. The pitch may determine exactly what changes take place, but it should be good for spin.

Australia Form

Australia were magnificent on all fronts in the first Test, thrashing Sri Lanka by an innings and 242 runs.

Batting first on a flat deck, Usman Khawaja scored 232 while Travis Head added 57 off just 40 balls. Steven Smith continued his revival with 141 runs while Josh Inglis cruised to 102 runs off 92 balls. The total of 654 was always likely to see the Aussies only bat once.

Matthew Kuhnemann took 5-63 as Australia bowled the hosts out for 165 runs and enforced the follow-on. Kuhemann took four wickets in the second innings taking his tally to nine for the match while Nathan Lyon also added four wickets.

Sri Lanka were all out for 247 runs as the Aussies cruised to victory.

Australia Injuries & Team News

Australia could be unchanged in the second Test, but like the hosts, will wait to see what the pitch looks like before making a final decision.

Verdict

Sri Lanka v Australia 2nd Test

Australia should have the quality to win again in the 2nd Test and with Usman Khawaja fresh off a double ton, I am looking no further than the left-hander in the best batsman market.

Dinesh Chandimal looked good with the bat in the first Test, he is tipped to top score again.

Australia Win

Result

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Usman Khawaja

Best Australia 1st Innings Batsman

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Dinesh Chandimal

Best Sri Lanka 1st Innings Batsman

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