'On any surface': Why Paine can’t see Sri Lanka getting close to Aussies in second Test
Lachlan Geleit, SEN • February 4th, 2025 5:20 pm

Former Test captain Tim Paine is backing Australia over Sri Lanka in the second Test in Galle no matter what pitch conditions are served up.
Paine’s call comes after the Aussies won the first Test in Galle by an innings and 242 runs on a reasonably flat pitch that favoured batting early before beginning to take on turn later in the match.
After such a lopsided result, many expect the curators to come up with a turning, dry pitch that’s incredibly difficult to bat on in the second Test, potentially bringing Sri Lanka into the contest given their familiarity with spinning conditions.
While a rank turner in theory might put the visitors at a disadvantage, Paine thinks that the starpower in the Aussie XI should hold them in good stead on whatever deck they’re faced with, particularly if a few of those names stand up again much like the first Test.
“I think Steve Smith said himself in the post-game press conference that the performance was close to flawless,” Paine told SEN Whateley.
“That’s from Travis Head at the start, Usman Khawaja controlling most of that innings, Steve Smith coming out and playing like the wizard he is in those conditions, and then Josh Inglis on debut to score a Test match 100 is a really special moment for him.
“Then the bowlers, (Matt) Kuhnemann, (Nathan) Lyon, (Todd) Murphy and (Mitchell) Starc were all spot on the money.
“When you've got players of that quality - a bit like the women's team, play as well as they do - there's not too many teams that can go near them.
“Sri Lanka at the moment, unfortunately, I can't see them getting close to Australia on any surface.”
The second of two Tests between Sri Lanka and Australia begins in Galle on Thursday afternoon (AEDT), listen to every ball LIVE on SEN and the SEN app.