Australia vs Sri Lanka head-to-head in Test cricket is a fascinating rivalry that combines Australia’s long-established Test tradition with Sri Lanka’s reputation for producing outstanding spin bowlers and competitive teams on home soil. The two nations first met in Test cricket in 1983, and their rivalry has produced several memorable matches involving legendary players such as Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralitharan, Kumar Sangakkara, Ricky Ponting and Steve Smith. Australia vs sri lanka head to head in test
As of the end of the 2025 Test series, Australia and Sri Lanka have played 35 Test matches. Australia have won 22, Sri Lanka have won 5, while 8 matches have ended in draws. Australia therefore hold a clear advantage in the overall head-to-head record.
The most recent Test series took place in Sri Lanka in January and February 2025. Australia won both Tests in Galle and secured the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy with a 2-0 series victory.
Australia vs Sri Lanka Test Head-to-Head Record
| Category | Australia | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| Total Tests | 35 | 35 |
| Wins | 22 | 5 |
| Losses | 5 | 22 |
| Draws | 8 | 8 |
| First Test | 1983 | 1983 |
| Latest Test | 2025 | 2025 |
| Latest Series | 2-0 | 0-2 |
| Warne-Muralitharan Trophy | 5 series wins | 1 series win |
Australia have won more than four times as many Tests as Sri Lanka in this head-to-head rivalry. Sri Lanka’s five victories have generally come in home conditions, where their spinners have often been able to make a significant impact. Australia vs sri lanka head to head in test
First Test Between Australia and Sri Lanka
Australia and Sri Lanka played their first Test match in April 1983 at the Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy. Sri Lanka were still a relatively new Test nation, having gained Test status in 1982.
Australia won the historic first meeting by an innings. The result established Australia’s early dominance in the rivalry, although Sri Lanka would become increasingly competitive over the following decades.
The introduction of world-class Sri Lankan players and bowlers gradually transformed the contests between the two sides.
The Rise of Sri Lankan Cricket
Sri Lanka’s emergence as a major international cricket nation changed the character of the Australia-Sri Lanka Test rivalry.
Players such as Arjuna Ranatunga, Aravinda de Silva and later Muttiah Muralitharan helped Sri Lanka develop into a highly competitive Test side.
Muralitharan became particularly important whenever Australia visited Sri Lanka. His ability to extract turn from dry surfaces made him one of the most difficult bowlers for Australian batters to handle.
The rivalry also became associated with the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy, named after Australia’s Shane Warne and Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan, two of the greatest wicket-takers in Test history. The trophy has been contested since the 2007-08 season.
Warne-Muralitharan Trophy
The Warne-Muralitharan Trophy adds special significance to Australia-Sri Lanka Test series.
The trophy was introduced to celebrate the legacy of Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan. Both bowlers had enormous influence on modern Test cricket and were famous for their mastery of spin bowling.
Since the trophy’s introduction, Australia have won most of the series. Sri Lanka won the 2016 series 3-0, while the 2022 series finished 1-1. Australia then won the 2024-25 series 2-0.
Sri Lanka’s Famous 2016 Series Victory
One of Sri Lanka’s most memorable achievements against Australia came in 2016.
Sri Lanka hosted Australia for a three-Test series and produced a remarkable 3-0 series victory.
Rangana Herath was one of the leading performers. Sri Lanka’s spin attack exploited the conditions extremely well, while Australian batters struggled against the turning pitches.
The series remains Sri Lanka’s most comprehensive Test series victory over Australia.
It also demonstrated how challenging Sri Lankan conditions can be for visiting teams.
Australia’s Strong Response in 2017
Australia returned to Sri Lanka in 2016, and the teams continued their rivalry in subsequent years. Australia eventually regained the upper hand in the following meetings.
In 2018-19, Australia hosted Sri Lanka for a two-Test series. Australia won both Tests, including a dominant victory in Canberra.
Australia’s pace attack and batting depth proved difficult for Sri Lanka to overcome.
The 2022 Test Series
Australia toured Sri Lanka in 2022 for a two-Test series.
The first Test in Galle was won by Australia by 10 wickets. Nathan Lyon and Australia’s bowling attack played an important role in securing victory.
Sri Lanka responded strongly in the second Test. They produced a huge first-innings total and eventually won by an innings and 39 runs.
That result was particularly significant because Sri Lanka showed their ability to recover from a heavy defeat and dominate Australia in spin-friendly Galle conditions.
The two-Test series therefore finished 1-1.
Australia vs Sri Lanka Test Series 2025
The latest Test series between Australia and Sri Lanka was played in Galle in January and February 2025.
The two teams competed for the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy as part of the 2023-25 ICC World Test Championship.
First Test – Galle
Australia produced a dominant performance in the opening Test.
Usman Khawaja scored a career-best 232, while Steve Smith made 141. Australia eventually declared on 654/6, establishing a huge first-innings advantage.
Sri Lanka struggled to match Australia’s batting performance and were eventually defeated by an innings and 242 runs.
It was Australia’s biggest Test victory by runs in Asia and gave them a 1-0 lead in the series.
Second Test – Galle
Australia continued their dominance in the second Test.
Steve Smith and Alex Carey produced major contributions with the bat, while Australia’s spin attack again put pressure on the Sri Lankan lineup.
Australia eventually won the second Test by 9 wickets, completing a 2-0 series victory. Alex Carey was named Player of the Match, while Steve Smith was named Player of the Series.
The result also meant Australia won a Test series in Sri Lanka for the first time since 2011.
Key Players in Australia vs Sri Lanka Tests
Shane Warne
Shane Warne was one of Australia’s greatest spin bowlers and played an important role in the history of this rivalry. His rivalry with Muttiah Muralitharan also helped give the fixture a special place in Test cricket.
Muttiah Muralitharan
Muttiah Muralitharan is one of Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketers and a central figure in the Australia-Sri Lanka Test rivalry.
The Warne-Muralitharan Trophy was named in recognition of the two legendary spinners.
Nathan Lyon
Nathan Lyon has become one of Australia’s most important Test spinners. His ability to bowl long spells and extract turn has made him a key player against Sri Lanka.
Steve Smith
Steve Smith has been a major contributor for Australia in recent Test cricket. During the 2025 series, he scored heavily and was named Player of the Series.
Usman Khawaja
Khawaja produced one of the outstanding batting performances of the 2025 series. His 232 in the first Test helped Australia establish a huge total of 654/6 declared.
Rangana Herath
Rangana Herath was one of Sri Lanka’s most successful Test spinners and played a central role in Sri Lanka’s 3-0 series victory over Australia in 2016.
Highest Team Totals
Australia’s highest Test innings against Sri Lanka is 654/6 declared, achieved in Galle in January 2025.
Sri Lanka’s highest total against Australia is 554, also demonstrating their ability to produce major scores on home soil.
The 2025 Australian total was particularly significant because it laid the foundation for their innings-and-242-run victory.
Australia vs Sri Lanka in Test Cricket: Overall Record
Through the end of the 2025 series, the overall head-to-head record stands at:
- Tests played: 35
- Australia wins: 22
- Sri Lanka wins: 5
- Draws: 8
- Australia losses: 5
- Sri Lanka losses: 22
There have been no tied Tests between the teams.
Australia have also never lost a Test series in Australia to Sri Lanka, while Sri Lanka have produced their strongest results against Australia in home conditions.
Conclusion
The Australia vs Sri Lanka head-to-head in Test cricket has developed into an important rivalry involving two contrasting cricketing traditions.
Australia have the stronger overall record, with 22 wins from 35 Tests, compared with Sri Lanka’s five victories. However, Sri Lanka have produced some memorable performances, particularly their 3-0 series victory in 2016 and their innings-and-39-run victory in Galle in 2022.
The latest chapter came in 2025, when Australia won both Tests in Galle and claimed the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy with a 2-0 series victory. The performances of Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey and Australia’s spin attack were central to that success.
With both nations continuing to compete in Test cricket, future meetings should remain closely followed, particularly when Australia travel to Sri Lanka’s spin-friendly conditions.
5 Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many Tests have Australia and Sri Lanka played?
Australia and Sri Lanka have played 35 Test matches against each other through the end of the 2025 series.
2. Who has won more Tests between Australia and Sri Lanka?
Australia have won 22 Tests, while Sri Lanka have won 5. Eight matches have ended in draws.
3. When did Sri Lanka last beat Australia in a Test?
Sri Lanka’s most recent Test victory over Australia came in 2022, when they won the second Test in Galle by an innings and 39 runs.
4. What was the result of the latest Australia vs Sri Lanka Test series?
Australia won the latest series 2-0 in 2025. They won the first Test by an innings and 242 runs and the second Test by nine wickets.
5. What is the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy?
The Warne-Muralitharan Trophy is awarded to the winner of Australia-Sri Lanka bilateral Test series. It is named after legendary Australian spinner Shane Warne and Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.