Table of Contents
The rivalry between the Australian men’s cricket team and Sri Lanka national cricket team has delivered pure magic across four decades. From Australia’s early iron-fisted dominance to Sri Lanka’s fearless 1996 World Cup triumph, explosive ODI chases, spin duels in Galle, and the stunning 2026 T20 World Cup upset, every Australia vs Sri Lanka match scorecard hides tales of aggression, tactical genius, player rivalries, fan frenzy, and unforgettable pressure moments that keep cricket lovers hooked.
Latest Matches
| Tournament | Venue | Date | Toss | Score | Result | Series | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICC Men’s T20 World Cup | Pallekele | Feb 16, 2026 | SL (field) | 181 (20 overs) | 184/2 (18 overs) | Sri Lanka won by 8 wkts | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 | Pathum Nissanka (SL) |
| Bilateral ODI | Colombo (RPS) | Feb 14, 2025 | SL (bat) | 281/4 (50 overs) | 107 (26.1 overs) | Sri Lanka won by 174 runs | Australia in Sri Lanka ODI Series | Kusal Mendis (SL) |
| Bilateral ODI | Colombo (RPS) | Feb 12, 2025 | SL (bat) | 214 (46 overs) | 165 (33.5 overs) | Sri Lanka won by 49 runs | Australia in Sri Lanka ODI Series | Charith Asalanka (SL) |
| Bilateral Test | Galle | Feb 6, 2025 | SL (bat) | 257 & 231 | 414 & 75/1 | Australia won by 9 wkts | Australia in Sri Lanka Test Series | Alex Carey (AUS) |
| Bilateral Test | Galle | Jan 29, 2025 | AUS (bat) | 165 & 247 | 654/6d | Australia won by an inns & 242 runs | Australia in Sri Lanka Test Series | Usman Khawaja (AUS) |
| ICC Cricket World Cup | Lucknow | Oct 16, 2023 | SL (bat) | 209 (43.3 overs) | 215/5 (35.2 overs) | Australia won by 5 wkts | ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 | Adam Zampa (AUS) |
| ICC Men’s T20 World Cup | Perth | Oct 25, 2022 | AUS (field) | 157/6 (20 overs) | 158/3 (16.3 overs) | Australia won by 7 wkts | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 | Marcus Stoinis (AUS) |
| Bilateral Test | Galle | Jul 8, 2022 | AUS (field) | 313 & 10/0 | 554 | Sri Lanka won by an inns & 39 runs | Australia in Sri Lanka Test Series | Prabath Jayasuriya (SL) |
| Bilateral Test | Galle | Jun 29, 2022 | SL (bat) | 212 & 113 | 222 & 104/0 | Australia won by 10 wkts | Australia in Sri Lanka Test Series | Nathan Lyon (AUS) |
| Bilateral ODI | Colombo (RPS) | Jun 24, 2022 | AUS (field) | 160 (43.1 overs) | 164/6 (39.3 overs) | Australia won by 4 wkts | Australia in Sri Lanka ODI Series | Chamika Karunaratne (SL) |
| Bilateral ODI | Colombo (RPS) | Jun 21, 2022 | AUS (field) | 258 (49 overs) | 254 (50 overs) | Sri Lanka won by 4 runs | Australia in Sri Lanka ODI Series | Charith Asalanka (SL) |
| Bilateral ODI | Colombo (RPS) | Jun 19, 2022 | AUS (bat) | 291/6 (50 overs) | 292/4 (47.1 overs) | Sri Lanka won by 6 wkts (DLS) | Australia in Sri Lanka ODI Series | Pathum Nissanka (SL) |
| Bilateral ODI | Colombo (RPS) | Jun 16, 2022 | AUS (field) | 220/9 (47.4 overs) | 189 (37.1 overs) | Sri Lanka won by 26 runs (DLS) | Australia in Sri Lanka ODI Series | Wanindu Hasaranga (SL) |
| Bilateral ODI | Colombo (RPS) | Jun 14, 2022 | SL (bat) | 300/7 (50 overs) | 282/8 (42.3 overs) | Australia won by 2 wkts (DLS) | Australia in Sri Lanka ODI Series | Josh Hazlewood (AUS) |
| Bilateral T20I | Pallekele | Jun 11, 2022 | AUS (bat) | 176/5 (20 overs) | 177/6 (19.5 overs) | Sri Lanka won by 4 wkts | Australia in Sri Lanka T20I Series | Dasun Shanaka (SL) |
Head-to-Head Summary: Australia vs Sri Lanka
| Format | Total Matches | Australia Wins | Sri Lanka Wins | Ties | Draws | No Results | Australia Win % | Sri Lanka Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 35 | 22 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 62.86% | 14.29% |
| ODI | 107 | 64 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 59.81% | 36.45% |
| T20I | 29 | 17 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 58.62% | 41.38% |
| Overall | 171 | 103 | 56 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 60.23% | 32.75% |
Tests: Top Run-Scorers and Wicket-Takers
| Top Run-Scorers | Player | Team | Runs | Matches | Average | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kumar Sangakkara | SL | ~2500 | 16 | ~60 | Masterful against pace; multiple tons in Australia. |
| 2 | Mahela Jayawardene | SL | ~2000 | 18 | ~50 | Elegant strokeplay; key in 2016 Galle win. |
| 3 | Ricky Ponting | AUS | ~2000 | 14 | ~55 | Dominated in 2004 whitewash; 575 runs in SL alone. |
| 4 | Michael Clarke | AUS | ~1300 | 10 | ~65 | Captain’s knocks in 2011; highest average vs SL. |
| 5 | Matthew Hayden | AUS | ~1100 | 7 | ~70 | Explosive openers; twin tons in Cairns 2004. |
| Top Wicket-Takers | Player | Team | Wickets | Matches | Average | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nathan Lyon | AUS | 60 | 12 | ~25 | Overtakes Warne in 2025; lethal on turning pitches. |
| 2 | Shane Warne | AUS | 59 | 9 | ~20 | Legendary spells; 5-fers in multiple Galle Tests. |
| 3 | Mitchell Starc | AUS | 57 | 10 | ~28 | Swing king; key in 2025 innings victory. |
| 4 | Muttiah Muralitharan | SL | ~50 | 13 | ~30 | Doosra magic; tormented Aus batsmen in 2004. |
| 5 | Glenn McGrath | AUS | ~40 | 8 | ~18 | Precision pace; dismantled SL top-order repeatedly. |
ODIs: Top Run-Scorers and Wicket-Takers
| Top Run-Scorers | Player | Team | Runs | Matches | Average | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sanath Jayasuriya | SL | ~2200 | 40 | ~35 | Blazing starts; 130 in 1996 WC final. |
| 2 | Kumar Sangakkara | SL | ~2000 | 35 | ~45 | Consistent keeper-bat; tons in pressure chases. |
| 3 | Ricky Ponting | AUS | ~2000 | 30 | ~50 | Captain’s aggression; key in 2007 WC final win. |
| 4 | Michael Clarke | AUS | ~1200 | 34 | ~40 | Middle-order anchor; match-winner in 2011 series. |
| 5 | Aravinda de Silva | SL | ~1100 | 36 | ~35 | 1996 WC hero; elegant against spin and pace. |
| Top Wicket-Takers | Player | Team | Wickets | Matches | Average | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muttiah Muralitharan | SL | ~70 | 40 | ~25 | Off-spin genius; multiple 5-fers vs Aus. |
| 2 | Brett Lee | AUS | ~50 | 25 | ~22 | Yorkers and bounce; terrorized SL openers. |
| 3 | Lasith Malinga | SL | 48 | 28 | ~28 | Slinging action; 4 in 4 balls vs SA, but strong vs Aus. |
| 4 | Mitchell Starc | AUS | ~30 | 15 | ~20 | Swing in death overs; key in recent series. |
| 5 | Chaminda Vaas | SL | ~30 | 30 | ~24 | Left-arm swing; economical in Powerplays. |
T20Is: Top Run-Scorers and Wicket-Takers
| Top Run-Scorers | Player | Team | Runs | Matches | Average | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Warner | AUS | 653 | 17 | ~40 | Explosive; 100 in 2019 series opener. |
| 2 | Kusal Perera | SL | ~400 | 15 | ~30 | Aggressive opener; match-winner in 2017. |
| 3 | Glenn Maxwell | AUS | ~350 | 12 | ~35 | Big Show fireworks; 145* in 2016. |
| 4 | Aaron Finch | AUS | ~300 | 10 | ~30 | Power-hitting; captain’s knocks in 2022. |
| 5 | Pathum Nissanka | SL | ~250 | 8 | ~40 | Recent hero; unbeaten 100 in 2026 WC. |
| Top Wicket-Takers | Player | Team | Wickets | Matches | Average | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adam Zampa | AUS | 21 | 12 | 13 | Leg-spin guile; economical in middles. |
| 2 | Wanindu Hasaranga | SL | ~15 | 9 | 15 | Googly threat; 4-fers in 2022 series. |
| 3 | Josh Hazlewood | AUS | ~12 | 8 | 18 | Seam movement; 6 wickets in 2022 series. |
| 4 | Ajantha Mendis | SL | ~10 | 5 | 12 | Mystery spin; 6/16 in 2011. |
| 5 | Lasith Malinga | SL | ~10 | 10 | 20 | Death-over yorkers; captain in early T20s. |
The Early Dominance: Australia Sets the Tone (1983–1992)
Sri Lanka entered Test cricket in 1982, but Australia quickly stamped authority in their clashes. The inaugural Test in April 1983 at Kandy saw Australia’s pace and batting overwhelm the hosts. Kepler Wessels’ 141 anchored a massive 514/4 declared, while Bruce Yardley’s 5/88 dismantled Sri Lanka for 271 and 205, securing an innings victory by 38 runs. It was a harsh lesson for the newcomers, with fans in Colombo feeling the weight of inexperience against a battle-hardened side.
By 1988, in Perth, Australia repeated the dominance with an innings and 108-run win, Geoff Lawson and Craig McDermott’s seam attack proving too hot. Tensions rose as Sri Lankan players adapted to bouncy pitches, sparking verbal spars that added edge.
The 1992 series in Sri Lanka brought drama. In the first Test at Colombo SSC, Sri Lanka’s 547/8 declared (Asanka Gurusinha 137, Arjuna Ranatunga 127*) set up a thriller. Australia fought back from 256 to 471 in the follow-on, thanks to Allan Border’s twin tons (106 and 117). Sri Lanka collapsed chasing 181, losing by 16 runs. Shane Warne’s emerging spin added intrigue, though he struggled initially. ODIs mirrored this, like the 1992 World Cup clash where Australia chased down Sri Lanka’s 189 easily by seven wickets.
These matches highlighted Australia’s grit under pressure, tactical seam dominance, and ability to escape tight spots. Sri Lankan fans roared for upsets, but Australia’s experience prevailed, building rivalry fire.
| Match | Date | Venue | Result | Highest Score | Best Bowling | Key Run Chase/Moment | Interesting Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | Apr 22-26, 1983 | Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy | Aus won by innings & 38 runs | Aus 514/4 dec (Wessels 141) | Yardley 5/88 (Aus) | No chase; SL followed on | SL’s Test debut vs Aus; Wessels’ ton set record for highest in SL debut Test |
| Only Test | Feb 8-12, 1988 | WACA, Perth | Aus won by innings & 108 runs | Aus 455 (Marsh 113*) | McDermott 5/99 (Aus) | No chase; SL bundled twice | Lawson’s 4/66; SL’s batting collapse fueled fan frustration |
| 1st Test | Aug 8-13, 1992 | SSC, Colombo | Aus won by 16 runs | SL 547/8 dec (Gurusinha 137) | Warne 0/107 (but emerging) | SL chased 181, fell at 164 | Border’s twin centuries (106 & 117); closest finish, tension boiled over |
| 2nd Test | Aug 17-22, 1992 | Asgiriya, Kandy | Drawn | Aus 349 (Border 91) | Vaas 4/76 (SL) | No full chase; rain intervened | Murali’s early spin threat; SL’s fightback hinted at future upsets |
| 3rd Test | Aug 28-Sep 1, 1992 | Tyronne Fernando, Moratuwa | Drawn | SL 254 (de Silva 57) | May 5/89 (Aus) | Aus chased partial; draw | Warne’s 3/82; de Silva’s resilience sparked player rivalry |
| World Cup ODI | Mar 7, 1992 | Adelaide Oval | Aus won by 7 wkts | SL 189/9 (Mahanama 58) | Whitney 4/34 (Aus) | Aus chased 190 in 45 overs | Moody’s 51*; SL’s spin tested but Aus dominated chase |
The Revolution: 1996 World Cup Final – The Ultimate Upset
The mid-1990s ignited Sri Lanka’s cricket revolution, peaking in the 1996 World Cup final against Australia. Fresh off a grueling Australian tour where they lost 3-0 in Tests but showed ODI flair, Sri Lanka entered as underdogs. Security fears saw Australia forfeit their group game in Colombo, adding fuel to the rivalry. The final at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on March 17 exploded with drama. Australia, batting first, limped to 241/7 in 50 overs—Mark Taylor’s cautious 74 off 83 anchored, but Ricky Ponting’s 45 couldn’t accelerate against Aravinda de Silva’s tidy 3/42. Sri Lanka’s chase was electric: after early wickets, de Silva’s unbeaten 107 off 124 and Asanka Gurusinha’s 65 forged a 125-run stand, sealing 245/3 in 46.2 overs for a seven-wicket win with 22 balls left.
Fans erupted—Sri Lankan streets turned into carnivals, while Australians reeled from the upset. Tactics shifted: Jayasuriya and Kaluwitharana’s pinch-hitting redefined ODIs, outfoxing Australia’s pace. Aggression flared with verbal jabs; pressure crushed Taylor’s men. This Australian men’s cricket team vs Sri Lanka national cricket team match scorecard marked Sri Lanka’s global arrival, flipping dominance.
| Match | Date | Venue | Result | Highest Score | Best Bowling | Key Run Chase/Moment | Interesting Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Test (Tour) | Dec 8-11, 1995 | WACA, Perth | Aus won by inns & 36 runs | Slater 219 (Aus) | McGrath 4/92 (Aus) | No chase; Aus declared 617/5 | Slater’s double ton; SL’s Hashan Tillakaratne 119 in 2nd inns showed fight |
| 2nd Test (Tour) | Dec 26-30, 1995 | MCG, Melbourne | Aus won by 10 wkts | Boon 110 (Aus) | Warne 4/54 (Aus) | Aus chased 41/0 easily | Boon-Warner 200+ stand; SL collapsed under spin pressure |
| World Cup Final | Mar 17, 1996 | Gaddafi, Lahore | SL won by 7 wkts | de Silva 107* (SL) | de Silva 3/42 (SL) | SL chased 242 in 46.2 ovs | First SL World Cup; de Silva’s all-round heroics (107* & 3 wkts) |
| Singer Final (ODI) | Sep 7, 1996 | RPS, Colombo | SL won by 50 runs | de Silva 87* (SL) | Muralitharan 3/29 (SL) | Aus chased 235 but fell at 184 | Rain-reduced; SL’s 234/3 in 35 ovs; post-WC revenge vibe |
| 1st ODI (1997) | Jan 17, 1997 | MCG, Melbourne | Aus won by 6 runs | Taylor 85 (Aus) | McGrath 3/42 (Aus) | SL chased 246, ended 239 | Close thriller; Bevan’s calm finish under lights |
Recent Thunder: 2025 Tour and the 2026 T20 World Cup Shock
The 2025 Australia tour of Sri Lanka started with Test hammerings that left home fans deflated. In the first Test at Galle from January 29, Australia declared at 654/6, overpowering with pace and spin. Sri Lanka folded to 165 and 247 following on, losing by an innings and 242 runs. Pressure mounted on Sri Lankan batters facing relentless bouncers, sparking verbal clashes. The second Test from February 6 saw Sri Lanka manage 257 and 231, but Australia’s 414 set a tiny 75-run chase, completed at 75/1 for a nine-wicket win. Australian tactics emphasized aggressive fielding, while Sri Lankan crowds booed umpiring calls.
ODIs brought revenge. On February 12 at Colombo RPS, Sri Lanka posted 214 in 46 overs, then dismantled Australia for 165 in 33.5 for a 49-run upset. Two days later, SL’s 281/4 crushed AUS to 107 in 24.2, a 174-run rout. Fan emotions exploded—Sri Lankan cheers drowned out Australian frustration.
The ultimate shock hit February 16, 2026, in the T20 World Cup at Pallekele. Australia scraped 181, but Pathum Nissanka’s blistering 100* off 52 balls powered Sri Lanka to 184/2 in 18 overs, winning by eight wickets with 12 balls left. Tactics clashed: Australian power met Sri Lankan flair. Aggression peaked with stares and celebrations. This era reignited the fire, with player rivalries like Maxwell vs Theekshana boiling over. The Australian men’s cricket team vs Sri Lanka national cricket team match scorecard captured pure drama.
| Match | Date | Venue | Result | Highest Score | Best Bowling | Key Run Chase/Moment | Interesting Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | Jan 29-Feb 2, 2025 | Galle | Aus won by inns & 242 runs | Smith 201 (Aus) | Cummins 5/45 (Aus) | No chase; SL followed on after 165 | Largest innings defeat for SL vs Aus; Smith’s double ton broke venue record |
| 2nd Test | Feb 6-9, 2025 | Galle | Aus won by 9 wkts | Labuschagne 145 (Aus) | Lyon 6/78 (Aus) | Aus chased 75 in 12 ovs | Lyon’s spin haul on day 3 turned game; rare 9-wkt win in SL |
| 1st ODI | Feb 12, 2025 | RPS, Colombo | SL won by 49 runs | Mendis 78 (SL) | Hasaranga 4/32 (SL) | Aus chased 215 but collapsed | Hasaranga’s googly spell; SL’s first home ODI win vs Aus in 5 years |
| 2nd ODI | Feb 14, 2025 | RPS, Colombo | SL won by 174 runs | Nissanka 112 (SL) | Madushanka 5/21 (SL) | Aus bundled chasing 282 | Madushanka’s career-best; biggest ODI defeat margin for Aus vs SL |
| T20 WC Group B | Feb 16, 2026 | Pallekele, Kandy | SL won by 8 wkts | Nissanka 100* (SL) | Hemantha 3/37 (SL) | SL chased 182 in 18 ovs | Nissanka’s first WC ton; SL qualified for Super 8s, Aus on brink of exit |
Conclusion
This epic saga from Kandy’s first humbling in 1983 to Nissanka’s blazing 2026 ton proves why Australia vs Sri Lanka remains one of cricket’s most electric rivalries. Upsets, heartbreaks, spin sorcery, and raw emotion have shaped legends on both sides. The fire still burns bright, promising more drama, more heroes, and more iconic scorecards in the years ahead.
