Sri Lanka vs Australia 3rd Test Prediction

If AUS Bat First

Predicted Score: Around 300

Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja are struggling in these conditions which means there will be more pressure on Warner and Smith to perform. Warner scored in 40's in both the innings of the last test while Smith has contributed thrice in four innings. Voges and Marsh have got starts in this series but they haven't been able to convert them into big ones. Australia will be relying the most on Warner, Smith, Voges and Marsh to take them to the predicted score.

Once again, the Aussie batsmen will be put to the test by the Lankan spinners who have been successful in choking them each time. Of the 40 wickets taken by the Sri Lankan bowlers, 36 belong to the spinners. Again, majority of the wickets are likely to be shared between Herath, Dilruwan Perera and Sandakan. Herath is looking the most dangerous of the three and he could pick up the most wickets in the third test. If Australia are unable to counter the spin attack, they could be bundled out for less than 200 again.

SL vs AUS Head-to-Head Record

Sri Lanka and Australia have gone head-to-head in 15 tests on the former's home turf. The hosts have only three wins in these matches while the visitors have six wins. The remaining six all ended in draw.

Till now, the two teams have played a total of four test matches at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground with Australia winning on two occasions and two matches resulting in draw.

Our Prediction

One thing that might work in favor of Australia is that they have never been beaten by Sri Lanka in tests at Colombo. They also boast a stronger overall test record against the home team and prior to this series, Sri Lanka only had one win in the 13 tests played between them at home. But though the Aussies have done well in the past, they have been struggling in the sub-continent conditions in recent years. And this has been largely due to their inability to handle spin which can be seen in the ongoing series where their spin woes have come back to haunt them again.

So can Australia prevent a 3-0 whitewash? Well, maybe. But only if their batsmen are able to stave off the Sri Lankan spin threat. However, looking at how the hosts have gone about their business in the last couple of games, we predict them to come out on top in the third test as well and wrap up the series 3-nil.