Final result
Australia won by 242 runs
Player of the match: UT Khawaja
Result · Test Cricket
Australia vs Sri Lanka
Result · Test Cricket
Venue par · 374Chase success · 38%POTM · UT Khawaja
Match preview & overview
Australia crush Sri Lanka by 242 runs at Galle with 654/6 declaration
Australia beat Sri Lanka by 242 runs in the Galle Test on 29 January 2025. Winning the toss and choosing to bat, Australia compiled 654/6 in their first innings, a total that stood nearly 280 runs above the ground's historical average of 374 across 41 Tests. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 165 in reply, then followed on and were dismissed again for 247. Usman Khawaja was named Player of the Match for his contribution at the top of Australia's order. The result was settled well before the final stages of play.
Sri Lanka had entered the match in decent head-to-head form, having won three of the previous five meetings between the sides. The overall ledger still favours Australia heavily at 60 wins from 102 contests, but Sri Lanka's recent record had given them credible claims coming in. The scale of this defeat will weigh on their preparations for any remaining matches in the series.
For Australia, the win continues a rich run of form. They had won four of their last five Tests, with all five matches against India, and arrived in Galle as the more settled unit. Their ability to post a very large first-innings total on a spinner-friendly surface showed both technical and temperamental quality.
Pitch report & venue insights
Galle International Stadium — 41-match sample
Aggregate conditions from 2003–2025. Numbers that tend to decide matches at this ground — par score, chase success, powerplay averages and toss bias.
41
T20 matches hosted
374
Avg 1st-innings score
301
Avg 2nd-innings score
38%
Chase success rate
2
Avg powerplay runs
12%
Toss-field rate
Key talking points
Moments the match hinged on
Headline angle
Australia post 654/6, far above Galle's average
Galle's average first-innings score across 41 Test matches is 374. Australia's 654/6 exceeded that by 280 runs, setting a target Sri Lanka were never realistically going to chase. The toss win and decision to bat first proved pivotal.
Angle 02
Sri Lanka bowled out twice inside 413 runs combined
Angle 03
Khawaja named Player of the Match
Angle 04
Toss loomed large at a venue where batting first pays
Angle 05
Australia's head-to-head record reinforced
Betting & analytical angles
Angles the data surfaced
- Top batter markets may be worth closer attention given Galle's history of producing large individual scores, with the venue's average first-innings score of 374 indicating that settled conditions can reward patient batting.
- First-innings lead markets could be relevant at a venue where the team batting first wins the toss and bats in the large majority of matches, and where the chase success rate sits at just 36 per cent across 41 Tests.
- Player of the Match markets at Galle have historically rewarded top-order batters and spinners with strong ground records, so those categories may offer more editorial interest than outright result lines.
- Sri Lanka's recent head-to-head record of three wins in five encounters suggests the rivalry is closer than the overall 60-37 ledger implies, which could be relevant context when assessing series markets.
For editorial context only. Not a forecast and not betting advice. 18+ only, please gamble responsibly.
Frequently asked
Questions about Australia vs Sri Lanka
What was the result of the Australia v Sri Lanka Test at Galle in January 2025?
Australia beat Sri Lanka by 242 runs. Australia posted 654/6 in their first innings, then bowled Sri Lanka out for 165 and 247 across two innings. Usman Khawaja was named Player of the Match.
What is the head-to-head record between Australia and Sri Lanka in Tests?
Across all 102 meetings between the two sides, Australia lead with 60 wins to Sri Lanka's 37, with 4 matches producing no result. Sri Lanka had won three of the most recent five encounters before this Test.
Where to watch Australia v Sri Lanka Tests in the UK?
Test cricket between Australia and Sri Lanka is typically broadcast in the UK on Sky Sports Cricket, available via Sky's satellite service, Sky Go, or a NOW TV day or monthly pass. BBC Test Match Special provides ball-by-ball radio commentary for most Test fixtures.
What is the average first-innings score at Galle International Stadium?
Across 41 Test matches at Galle International Stadium, the average first-innings score is 374. Australia's 654/6 in this match exceeded that figure by 280 runs, making it an exceptional total in the context of the ground's history.
Who won the toss in the Galle Test between Australia and Sri Lanka?
Australia won the toss and elected to bat. At Galle, teams have chosen to field first only 11 times in 41 Tests, and Australia's decision to bat proved decisive given the size of their first-innings total.
What is Australia's recent form heading into the Sri Lanka series?
Before this Test, Australia had won four of their last five matches, all against India. Their only loss in that run came in 2024, also against India. Sri Lanka's recent results were more mixed, with two wins and three losses against New Zealand across their last five matches.