Sri Lanka’s legendary spinner Muralitharan said Australia will start as favourite against Sri Lanka in the upcoming Test Series. Muralitharan in an interview to cricket.com.au said Australia have ab upper hand over Sri Lanka in the upcoming Test Series. “Australia are the favourites at the moment because they have played good cricket in the recent past. Sri Lanka on other hand are struggling a bit in all forms of the game, so Australia will have an edge over Sri Lanka. They have a chance of winning the series because the Sri Lankan side is very inexperienced. If they use the conditions properly and play their spinners well they definitely have a chance,” Muralitharan said to cricket.com.au.
Sri Lanka will play in their home ground against Australia. Muralitharan feels that Rangana Herath will be the threat for Australian side in particular Sri Lankan pitches. He said to cricket.com.au that, “Normally you have to play at least two spinners in Sri Lanka because wickets are slower. It is not just about how many spinners you have got. It is also about how well you are going to bat against spin. Ranagana Herath is a very good bowler who Australia will have to tackle well.”. Muralitharan also said that Nathan Lyon might be the match winner for Australian side. “Lyon is a very good bowler, a very good off-spinner. He has proven himself in Test cricket and has taken a lot of wickets for Australia. I think it’ll be a good opportunity for him to play in Sri Lanka because here wickets will have turn, especially in Galle. I think Nathan Lyon’s performance is very good, so he is one of the bowlers who are leading the attack in the Australian squad,” Muralitharan added. Australia will play three test matches followed by five ODIs and two T20Is starting from July 26, 2016.