Australia's Usman Khawaja plays a shot as Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis watches during day one of the first test cricket match between Sri Lanka and Australia in Galle, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena Australia's Usman Khawaja plays a shot as Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis watches during day one of the first test cricket match between Sri Lanka and Australia in Galle, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 Photo: AP/Eranga Jayawardena

Welcome to the live coverage of Day 1 of the first Test match between Australia and Sri Lanka played at the Galle International Stadium, Galle on Wednesday, January 29. (More Cricket News)

The World Test Championship (WTC) finalists Australia take on Sri Lanka in the 1st Test, on Wednesday, January 29 sans their skipper Pat Cummins as Steve Smith takes over the reins at the Galle International Stadium. Catch SL vs AUS Live

Travis Head will open the batting for the visitors as Smith stated in his pre-match press-conference. Smith has hinted at a range of strategies under consideration depending on the weather, but highlighted that Head — who is typically a dependable presence in the middle order — has previously thrived as an opener in Asian conditions.

Squads:

Sri Lanka Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne, Oshada Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva(c), Kusal Mendis(w), Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nishan Peiris, Pathum Nissanka, Sonal Dinusha, Lahiru Udara, Milan Priyanath Rathnayake

"There won't be a vacuum. Someone will come in my place, for sure. All the sports are like that. Sachin Tendulkar was there and now there is Virat Kohli, and someone will take his place tomorrow. So, Sreejesh was there yesterday, but someone else will come and take his place tomorrow," the goalkeeping stalwart told PTI in an interview at the India House in Paris.

"Yes, definitely, the mental toughness of this side is totally different. We are a united bunch and we backed each other and motivated each other when chips were down," Harmanpreet told PTI after returning to the country on Saturday.

Australia Squad: Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith(c), Josh Inglis, Beau Webster, Alex Carey(w), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Matthew Kuhnemann, Scott Boland, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Sean Abbott, Cooper Connolly, Sam Konstas

When will the first SL Vs AUS Test match begin?

The first Sri Lanka Vs Australia Test match will begin on Wednesday,  January 29 at the Galle International Cricket Stadium in Galle. The toss is scheduled for 9:30am IST, whereas the action kick-starts at 10am IST.

Where to watch the second SL Vs AUS Test match?

In Australiajilipark, the tour will be broadcast on the Seven network and the 7 plus app. In India, one can watch the SL vs AUS Test on the FanCode app and website.