Sri Lanka v Australia cricket betting picks | Second Test tips

Australia vs Sri Lanka best bets

Sri Lanka vs Australia match preview

Australia will be looking to secure their first Test series victory in Sri Lanka since 2011 when the second match kicks off this Thursday in Galle.

The first Test was absolute domination from the Aussies last week, as they secured the victory by an innings and 242 runs.

After winning the toss and batting, Australia made the Sri Lankan bowlers look second rate as they romped to 654/6 before declaring. Opener Usman Khawaja led the way with a career-high 232, while Steve Smith (141) and debutant Josh Inglis (102) also reached three figures.

Australia were a class above with the ball as well, dismissing Sri Lanka for 165 in the first innings. The hosts were then forced to follow-on, where they were bowled out for 247. Spin did the majority of the damage, with Matthew Kuhnemann (9/149) and Nathan Lyon (7/135) taking wickets across both innings.

• CRICKET NEWS: KUHNEMANN SHINES AS AUSTRALIA DOMINATE SRI LANKA IN FIRST TEST

For Sri Lanka, there weren’t too many positives, particularly with the ball. However, Dinesh Chandimal’s 72 in the first innings and Jeffrey Vandersay’s 53 in the second were a small bright spot.

Despite the second Test being played at the same venue in Galle, vastly different conditions are expected for this clash to give more advantage to the home side. After such a lopsided result on a slow, rain-affected wicket in the opener, many expect the curators to create a very dry track that spins from day one.

However, Australia still remain comfortable favourites at -188.68 with leading cricket bookmakers, while Sri Lanka are at +220 for the win. The draw is paying +850.

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Australia vs Sri Lanka team news

With injuries limiting the bowling abilities of all-round pair Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis, the Sri Lankans used just four bowlers across 154 overs in the first Test. As a result, spin-bowling all-rounder Sonal Dinusha may be in line for his debut after some impressive domestic form.

At the top of the batting order, Pathum Nissanka is a chance to return from a groin injury, leaving Oshada Fernando as the likely omission after scoring just 13 runs across two innings in the opener.

For the Aussies, don’t expect much change for this Test after such a dominant performance. Young opener Sam Konstas has flown home, suggesting the tourists will stick with the same batting lineup that performed so well in the opener.

Australia vs Sri Lanka predictions

After the way they played in the opening Test, it is hard to look past Australia in this clash. Their batting lineup is considerably stronger, while the spin trio of Lyon, Kuhnemann and Todd Murphy is unrelenting with the ball. As favourites, back the Aussies to secure the 2-0 series victory.

Coming off a career-best nine-wicket haul, Matt Kuhnemann presents as the biggest danger in this Aussie attack. Left-arm orthodox bowlers thrive in the subcontinent, and with nearly all the Sri Lankan batters being right-handed, the Queenslander’s ability to take the ball away makes him so tough to play. Kuhnemann is expected to bowl plenty of overs again, so back him to lead the Aussie attack at +230 with top online bookies.

Similarly for the Sri Lankans, left-armer Prabath Jayasuriya is the most dangerous option. In the first innings of the opener, he bowled a mammoth 60 overs for three wickets, while he was by far the most economical bowler in the attack. If he continues with such a heavy workload, more wickets are bound to come, so back Jayasuriya to lead the Sri Lankan bowlers at +220 with top sports betting sites.

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