How to watch Australia vs Sri Lanka first Test and what time does the match start?

Sri Lanka is set to begin the first match of a two-Test series against Australia today. This marks the first encounter between the two teams since 2022, when the series ended in a draw with each side winning one match. This highly anticipated series has fans eager to see the two teams clash once again.

Regarding team lineups, Josh Inglis is expected to become Australia’s 470th men’s Test player, securing a spot over young prospect Sam Konstas. For the bowling lineup, Scott Boland and Todd Murphy are vying for a position, with the final selection yet to be determined. Fans are eagerly awaiting the announcement of Australia’s final team.

The first Test match will begin at 3 pm in Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania; 2 pm in Queensland; 2:30 pm in South Australia; and 12 pm in Perth. Viewers can watch the match through various means, with ABC Sport providing full text commentary on abc.net.au/sport, as well as live commentary on digital radio, the ABC Listen app, and the button on abc.net.au/sport. Channel Seven will broadcast the entire series on its main channel and 7mate, as well as on the 7plus app, while Foxtel and Kayo will not be providing coverage.

Steve Smith needs just one more run to reach the 10,000-run milestone, and he will captain the side for this match as Pat Cummins has returned home for the birth of his second child. Travis Head will open the batting, while Sam Konstas has been dropped. The Australian squad includes Steve Smith (captain), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Nathan McAndrew, Todd Murphy, Mitchell Starc, and Beau Webster. The Sri Lankan squad includes Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sonal Dinusha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nishan Peiris, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, and Milan Rathnayake.

Australia aims to improve their poor record on the subcontinent and secure an elusive Test series victory in Sri Lanka. Stand-in captain Steve Smith acknowledged that the recent home series win against India has relieved some pressure for this two-match series. Smith stated, "Every series is important, and I think this one is slightly easier for us because we've already qualified for the final. But you want to win every series you play. We have a very good team, and we've covered all bases." He also added that some players may have the opportunity to showcase their skills and prepare for other Asian tours. Smith also mentioned, "We didn't get the job done here last time. It was 1-1, and in India, we didn't win either (in 2023). It's a tough place to play. It's foreign to us. A lot of us have played here now, so we understand the conditions. It's certainly going to be a tricky series, but we're looking forward to it, and hopefully, we can get on top this time."

Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka will miss the first match due to a groin injury and will likely be replaced by either 19-Test top-order batter Oshada Fernando or the uncapped Lahiru Udara. Nissanka is expected to be fit for the second match. Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva said on Tuesday afternoon, "We haven't decided on the starting lineup yet, as the weather patterns are changing, and we will make a final decision tomorrow morning."