The rivalry between Sri Lanka and Australia has produced some of the most exciting matches in international cricket. Australia has historically been one of the strongest teams in the world, while Sri Lanka has developed into a powerful side capable of defeating any opponent.
Latest Matches
Tournament
Venue
Date
Sri Lanka
Australia
Result
Player of the Match
World Cup
Lucknow
2023
209
215/5
Australia won by 5 wickets
Mitchell Marsh
ODI Series
Colombo
2022
258
254
Sri Lanka won by 4 runs
Charith Asalanka
ODI Series
Colombo
2022
292
189
Sri Lanka won by 103 runs
Pathum Nissanka
Test Series
Galle
2022
212 & 113
321 & 10
Australia won by 10 wickets
Nathan Lyon
Test Series
Galle
2022
554
364 & 151
Sri Lanka won by innings
Dinesh Chandimal
Head to Head Record
Format
Matches
Sri Lanka Wins
Australia Wins
Draw/NR
Test
33
5
20
8
ODI
104
36
64
4
T20I
26
10
16
0
Total
163
51
100
12
Top Batting Performances
Player
Team
Runs
Match Type
Ricky Ponting
Australia
257
Test
Dinesh Chandimal
Sri Lanka
206
Test
Sanath Jayasuriya
Sri Lanka
189
ODI
Adam Gilchrist
Australia
172
ODI
Best Bowling Performances
Player
Team
Wickets
Match Type
Muttiah Muralitharan
Sri Lanka
9 wickets
Test
Nathan Lyon
Australia
8 wickets
Test
Chaminda Vaas
Sri Lanka
5 wickets
ODI
Brett Lee
Australia
5 wickets
ODI
Early Encounters (1983–1995)
Sri Lanka began facing Australia regularly after gaining Test status in the 1980s. Early matches were dominated by Australia, but Sri Lanka gradually improved.
Year
Format
Venue
Winner
1983
ODI Match
Australia
Australia
1987
Test Match
Sri Lanka
Australia
1990
Test Series
Australia
Australia
1995
ODI Match
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s Rise (1996–2005)
The late 1990s and early 2000s saw Sri Lanka become a strong team in international cricket, leading to more competitive matches against Australia.
Year
Series
Venue
Result
1996
Major Tournament
Asia
Sri Lanka
1999
Test Series
Australia
Australia
2004
Test Series
Sri Lanka
Australia
2005
ODI Match
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Modern Battles (2006–2025)
Recent matches between Australia and Sri Lanka have been highly competitive, with both teams producing impressive performances in international tournaments and bilateral series.
Year
Series
Venue
Winner
2012
Test Series
Sri Lanka
Australia
2016
Test Series
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
2019
ODI Series
Australia
Australia
2024
Bilateral Series
Various
Draw
Memorable Matches
Year
Event
Format
Highlight
1996
Major Final
ODI
SL Win
2007
Tournament Match
ODI
AUS Win
2016
Historic Test
Test
SL Victory
2023
Bilateral Game
ODI
AUS Win
Conclusion
The timeline of matches between Sri Lanka and Australia highlights decades of exciting cricket. From early dominance by Australia to competitive modern encounters, the rivalry remains an important part of international cricket history.
