New-look Australia set for Sri Lanka test

Australia begin Test life post messrs Warne, McGrath and Langer next Thursday when they take on Sri Lanka in the first match of the two-Test series, in Brisbane. Some of the names may be different but the bookies don't think much will change as they make the home side 1/4 (1.25) to win the series.

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The vagaries of the Test calendar mean that Sri Lanka, who play England in December, have a two-Test warm-up against the world's top side and bet365 make them 8/1 to somehow bring about a huge upset by winning the series.

A drawn series is a 9/2 chance but since the Aussies have only lost to Sri Lanka once - in Kandy, in 1999, that would also seem pretty unlikely, to say the least.

At home, Australia are nigh-on unbeatable, having not lost a Test at home since being beaten by India almost four years ago. That was one of only two Tests they have lost at home - when the series was still alive - in a decade.

You have to go back 15 years to find the last time Australia lost a Test series on home soil - to West Indies, in 1992-93, while they haven't lost the first Test of a home series since they were beaten by West Indies in 1988/89.

So, the odds are not exactly in Sri Lanka's favour, and that's before you even consider the fact that Australia will, as always, be out to undermine the tourists' main attacking threat, Muttiah Muralitharan.

Murali has not had the best of times in Australia in the past, with the umpires calling him for "chucking" and generally being criticised by the media. However, the latter is a sign that Australia know how dangerous Murali is and he may just be inspired into a good series. His record of 50 wickets in 10 Tests against the Aussies is not exactly bad.

With Warne, McGrath and Langer gone, Australia have brought in Phil Jaques, Shaun Tait and Brad Hogg to make up a 13-man squad for the first Test. Jaques will open with Matthew Hayden while spinner Hogg will battle it out with Stuart MacGill for Warne's place.

Wicket-keeper Kumar Sangakkara is doubtful with a hamstring strain, but otherwise Sri Lanka have a full squad from which to choose.

A 2-0 Australia win is the favourite in the correct score market, at 10/11, while a 1-0 win to the home side is next in the betting at 11/5. A 1-1 draw is an 11/2 shot, a 1-0 Sri Lanka win is 11/1, while a 0-0 series is 14/1 and a 2-0 Sri Lanka win is the outsider at 33/1.

Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.