by Rex Clementine

A sea of Australian fans are expected to descend upon Galle for the much-anticipated Warne–Murali Trophy, set to kick off later this month. With Australia – the world’s top-ranked Test side – locking horns with sixth-ranked Sri Lanka, cricket enthusiasts are gearing up for a spectacle, with both Tests scheduled at the picturesque Galle International Stadium.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced yesterday that tickets will go on sale soon, and fans can purchase them via the official SLC website. For those who prefer the old-school way, tickets will also be available at the gates starting January 27, with prices ranging from Rs. 500 to Rs. 12,500.

SLC had previously thrown open the gates for Test matches free of charge, hoping to breathe new life into the longest format of the game. However, an SLC insider revealed that the decision to sell tickets this time is due to the expected influx of Australian supporters. Sri Lanka’s allure as a top-tier tourist destination, the demand has skyrocketed.

Over the years, former Aussie cricketers like Merv Hughes and Geoff Marsh have played a pivotal role in bringing tour groups to Sri Lanka. However, Australian fans have yet to embrace Sri Lanka with the same fervour as England’s legendary Barmy Army, who travel in droves.

The 2001 series between Sri Lanka and England was a watershed moment, drawing over 5,000 British fans. At the time, the British High Commission in Colombo requested a meeting with SLC officials, raising eyebrows as it came during the peak of Sri Lanka’s civil conflict. To everyone’s surprise, security wasn’t their primary concern – it was the availability of sufficient toilet facilities for the traveling fans! SLC responded promptly by installing mobile toilets across all venues, ensuring the series was a roaring success and providing a much-needed boost to the nation’s tourism industry.

It remains to be seen whether the upcoming Aussie tour can recreate that magic, but hopes are high.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan squad has returned to their training base in Galle, sharpening their skills for the showdown. The Australian team, currently fine-tuning their preparations in Abu Dhabi, is expected to arrive later this week.

Despite Australia having already punched their ticket to the World Test Championship final, the series is far from a dead rubber. Sri Lanka’s Head Coach, Sanath Jayasuriya, has made his intentions clear – he wants to bring the Warne–Murali Trophy back home. Australia regained the coveted prize in 2019 and held onto it despite the 2022 series ending in a hard-fought 1-1 draw.

Sri Lanka is expected to announce their squad in the coming days. A series win against the reigning world champions would propel them to the fifth spot in the ICC Test rankings, giving the team and their fans plenty to cheer about.

Two ODIs will follow the Test series. Both one-dayers will be played at RPS.