Lankans to play three Tests, five ODIs and two Twenty20s

Australian tour begins on December 6:

Elmo RODRIGOPULLE

The Sri Lanka cricketers will tour Australia for a Three Test series, Five One-day Internationals and Two Twenty20 internationals from December 6 this year to January 28, 2013.

The cricketers will begin the tour with a friendly game against the Chairman’s X1 at Manuka Oval in Canberra from December 6 to 8.

The previous Test series which was a Two Test series between the two countries played in Sri Lanka early this year ended in a one-nil victory for the Australians under the leadership of Michael Clarke.

The Aussies beat Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium and a match saving century from Clarke helped them to draw the Test match at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground.

When Sri Lanka previously toured Australia it was for the revived Commonwealth Bank one-day series which was won by the home team beating Sri Lanka in the best of three finals. Sri Lanka beat Australia In a nail biting game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground watched by a lustily cheering near 30 thousand Sri Lankan fans to deprive India and enter the best of the three finals against Australia.

On the tour of Australia, the Lankans will play a Boxing Day Test at the MCG after 17 long years. It will be played from December 26 to 30.