Some cricket rivalries are about bragging rights. Some are about pride. And then there is the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Vs Australia National Cricket Team , a rivalry that has everything: thundering centuries, late-night collapses, World Cup finals, and one unforgettable night in Pallekele in February 2026 where a Sri Lankan opener simply took Australia apart, ball by ball.
If you are hunting for the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Vs Australia National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, complete head-to-head stats, or just want to know who holds the edge right now, you are in exactly the right place.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only. All match data, statistics, and records have been compiled from publicly available and reputable cricket databases. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and reliability, readers are encouraged to verify important information with official sources, as cricket records are subject to updates and revisions.
A Rivalry That Started in 1975
The first time these two teams met was at The Oval in London during the 1975 Prudential World Cup. Australia won by 52 runs. Nobody knew then that this was the beginning of one of cricket’s most layered rivalries.
Australia went on to become the game’s most decorated ODI team with six World Cup titles and back-to-back Champions Trophies. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, stunned the world with their 1996 World Cup triumph and produced legends like Muttiah Muralitharan, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, and Mahela Jayawardene.
The Australian Men’s Cricket Team Vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Match Scorecard record across all three formats tells a story of Australian dominance, but with Sri Lanka delivering some of the most memorable upsets in cricket history.
Complete Head-to-Head Summary: All Formats (Up to May 2026)
| Format | Total Matches | Australia Wins | Sri Lanka Wins | Draws / NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 35 | 22 | 5 | 8 |
| ODIs | 106 | 64 | 38 | 4 |
| T20Is | 27 | 17 | 10 | 0 |
| Overall | 168 | 103 | 53 | 12 |
Source: ESPNCricinfo, CricTotal (verified up to May 2026)
Australia leads comfortably across all three formats in the SL Vs AUS head-to-head. But dig into the numbers and Sri Lanka’s recent form, especially in 2022 and 2026, tells a far more competitive story.
The Headline Match: T20 World Cup 2026, Pallekele, February 16
This is the most recent entry in the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Vs Australia National Cricket Team Match Scorecard and it was a showstopper.
Match Details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Group B, Match 30 |
| Date | February 16, 2026 (Night Match) |
| Venue | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy, Sri Lanka |
| Toss | Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field |
| Local Start Time | 7:00 PM (IST) |
| Result | Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets (with 12 balls remaining) |
| Player of the Match | Pathum Nissanka (100* off 52 balls) |
| T20I Match Number | 3718 |
| Umpires | Ahsan Raza, Richard Kettleborough |
| TV Umpire | Asif Yaqoob |
| Match Referee | Dean Cosker |
Australia 1st Innings: 181 All Out in 20 Overs
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Marsh (c) | lbw b Hemantha | 54 | 27 | 8 | 2 | 200.00 |
| Travis Head | c Kamindu Mendis b Hemantha | 56 | 29 | 7 | 3 | 193.10 |
| Cameron Green | st Kusal Mendis b Wellalage | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 42.86 |
| Tim David | c Hemantha b Kamindu Mendis | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 120.00 |
| Josh Inglis (wk) | c Wellalage b Chameera | 27 | 22 | 3 | 0 | 122.73 |
| Glenn Maxwell | c Nissanka b Hemantha | 22 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 146.67 |
| Marcus Stoinis | c Theekshana b Chameera | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Cooper Connolly | c Perera b Theekshana | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 75.00 |
| Xavier Bartlett | run out (Kusal Mendis) | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Nathan Ellis | not out | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Adam Zampa | run out (Kamindu Mendis) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Extras | (NB: 1, W: 4) | 5 | ||||
| Total | All Out, 20 Overs | 181 |
Fall of Wickets: 104-1 (Head, 8.3), 110-2 (Green, 9.6), 116-3 (Marsh, 10.4), 130-4 (David, 12.4), 160-5 (Maxwell, 16.1), 174-6 (Inglis, 17.5), 177-7 (Connolly, 18.3), 180-8 (Stoinis, 19.3), 180-9 (Bartlett, 19.5), 181-10 (Zampa, 19.6)
Sri Lanka Bowling (Australia Innings)
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dushmantha Chameera | 4 | 0 | 36 | 2 | 9.00 |
| Maheesh Theekshana | 4 | 0 | 37 | 1 | 9.25 |
| Matheesha Pathirana | 0.4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4.50 (retired hurt – calf injury) |
| Dasun Shanaka | 1.2 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 12.00 |
| Binura Hemantha | 4 | 0 | 37 | 3 | 9.25 |
| Dunith Wellalage | 4 | 0 | 33 | 1 | 8.25 |
| Kamindu Mendis | 2 | 0 | 19 | 1 | 9.50 |
Sri Lanka Chase: 184/2 in 18 Overs (Target: 182)
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | Not Out | 100 | 52 | 10 | 5 | 192.31 |
| Kusal Perera | c Ellis b Stoinis | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
| Kusal Mendis (c/wk) | c Connolly b Stoinis | 51 | 38 | 6 | 1 | 134.21 |
| P. Rathnayake | Not Out | 28 | 15 | 6 | 0 | 186.67 |
| Extras | (W: 4) | 4 | ||||
| Total | 2 wickets, 18 Overs | 184 |
Fall of Wickets: 8-1 (Perera, 1.2), 105-2 (Mendis, 12.2)
Yet to Bat: Kamindu Mendis, Shanaka, Hemantha, Wellalage, Chameera, Theekshana, Pathirana
Australia Bowling (Sri Lanka Chase)
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xavier Bartlett | 2 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 11.00 |
| Marcus Stoinis | 4 | 0 | 46 | 2 | 11.50 |
| Nathan Ellis | 3 | 0 | 32 | 0 | 10.67 |
| Cooper Connolly | 3 | 0 | 27 | 0 | 9.00 |
| Adam Zampa | 4 | 0 | 41 | 0 | 10.25 |
| Glenn Maxwell | 2 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 8.00 |
Source: Sky Sports Scorecard, ESPNCricinfo (February 16, 2026)
Nissanka’s 100* off 52 balls was the first century of the entire ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Sri Lanka chased 182 in just 18 overs. Australia, already bruised by a loss to Zimbabwe, were pushed to the brink of elimination. They needed Ireland and Sri Lanka to do them a favour to even have a chance of reaching the Super 8s.
Expert Insight: “This was a masterclass in T20 batting. Nissanka dropped Maxwell earlier in the innings and then took a stunning catch to dismiss him. That turnaround summed up the Sri Lanka spirit all night.” (ESPNCricinfo Match Report, February 16, 2026)
Head-to-Head in Tests (Full Record)
SL vs AUS: Test Match Summary
| Stat | Australia | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 35 | 35 |
| Wins | 22 | 5 |
| Losses | 5 | 22 |
| Draws | 8 | 8 |
| Win % | 62.86% | 14.29% |
| First Match | April 22, 1983 (Kandy) | April 22, 1983 |
| Last Match | January 2025 (Galle) | January 2025 |
Australia won the only Test ever played at Kandy in 1983 by an innings and 38 runs. That set the tone for what has largely been a one-sided Test rivalry.
Most Recent Test: 1st Test, Galle, January 29, 2025
Australia posted 654/6 declared, one of the great away Test innings in cricket history.
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Usman Khawaja | 232 | 352 | c Mendis b Jayasuriya |
| Steven Smith | 141 | 251 | lbw b Vandersay |
| Josh Inglis | 102 | 94 | c Mendis b Jayasuriya |
| Travis Head | 57 | 40 | c Chandimal b Jayasuriya |
| Alex Carey | 46 | 69 | Not Out |
| Beau Webster | 23 | 50 | c Mendis b Vandersay |
Sri Lanka 1st Innings: 165 All Out | Sri Lanka 2nd Innings: 247 All Out Result: Australia won by an innings and 242 runs
Lowest Totals in a Test Innings (SL vs AUS)
| Team | Score | Against | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | 97 | Australia | Darwin | 2004 |
| Sri Lanka | 110 | Australia | Hobart | 2007 |
| Australia | 120 | Sri Lanka | Colombo (SSC) | 1992 |
| Sri Lanka | 123 | Australia | Brisbane | 1995 |
| Sri Lanka | 165 | Australia | Galle | 2025 |
Head-to-Head in ODIs
SL vs AUS: ODI Summary
| Stat | Australia | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 106 | 106 |
| Wins | 64 | 38 |
| No Result | 4 | 4 |
| Win % (excl. NR) | 62.75% | 37.25% |
| First Match | June 11, 1975 (The Oval, London) | June 11, 1975 |
| Last Match | February 14, 2025 (Colombo) | February 14, 2025 |
| Australia Highest Total | 376 runs | N/A |
| Sri Lanka Highest Total | 321 runs | N/A |
The last two ODIs between these sides were played in Colombo in February 2025. Sri Lanka swept Australia 2-0. In the second match, Sri Lanka won by 174 runs, one of their biggest-ever ODI wins over Australia. Kusal Mendis scored 101 and Charith Asalanka was Player of the Series.
In Sri Lanka, the home side leads the bilateral head-to-head 18–15, proving just how tough it is for anyone, even Australia, to win on the island.
ODI ICC World Cup: Complete Match-by-Match Record
Australia Vs Sri Lanka in the ODI World Cup
| Year | Venue | Stage | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | The Oval, London | Group B | Australia | 52 runs |
| 1992 | Adelaide | Group Stage | Australia | 7 wickets |
| 1996 | Colombo (RPS) | Group Stage | Australia forfeited (security) | N/A |
| 1996 | Lahore | Final | Sri Lanka | 7 wickets |
| 1999 | Headingley, Leeds | Super Six | Australia | 6 wickets (D/L) |
| 2003 | Centurion | Super Six | Australia | 96 runs |
| 2003 | St George’s Park | Semi-Final | Australia | 48 runs (D/L) |
| 2007 | St George’s Park | Super Eights | Australia | 7 wickets |
| 2007 | Bridgetown | Final | Australia | 53 runs (D/L) |
| 2011 | Colombo (RPS) | Group Stage | No Result | Rain |
| 2015 | Sydney | Pool Stage | Australia | 64 runs |
| 2019 | The Oval, London | Group Stage | Australia | 87 runs |
| 2023 | Lucknow | Group Stage | Australia | 5 wickets |
ODI World Cup Head-to-Head: Australia 9, Sri Lanka 2 (1 Forfeited, 1 No Result)
The 1996 final in Lahore remains the jewel in Sri Lanka’s crown against Australia. Arjuna Ranatunga’s team, led by Aravinda de Silva’s magnificent 107*, chased 242 and won with 7 wickets. It was the upset of a generation.
ICC T20 World Cup: Match-by-Match Record
SL vs AUS in the ICC T20 World Cup
| Year | Venue | Stage | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Newlands, Cape Town | Group F | Australia | 10 wickets |
| 2009 | Trent Bridge, Nottingham | Super Eights | Sri Lanka | 7 wickets |
| 2010 | Gros Islet, St Lucia | Super Eights | Australia | 5 wickets |
| 2021 | Dubai | Super 12 | Australia | 7 wickets |
| 2022 | Perth Stadium | Super 12 | Australia | 7 wickets |
| 2026 | Pallekele, Kandy | Group B | Sri Lanka | 8 wickets |
T20 World Cup Head-to-Head: Australia 4, Sri Lanka 2
Sri Lanka’s 2026 win, by 8 wickets with 12 balls to spare, was their most dominant T20 World Cup victory over Australia yet. The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Vs Australia National Cricket Team Match Scorecard from that night is one for the history books.
ICC Champions Trophy: Complete Match Record
Australia vs Sri Lanka in the ICC Champions Trophy
| Year | Venue | Stage | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Colombo, Sri Lanka | Semi-Final | Sri Lanka | 7 wickets |
| 2006 | Mohali, India | Final | Australia | 8 wickets |
| 2009 | Centurion, South Africa | Group Stage | Australia | 6 wickets |
| 2013 | The Oval, London | Group A | Sri Lanka | 20 runs |
| 2025 | Pakistan/UAE | Group Stage | Not in same group | No meeting |
Champions Trophy Head-to-Head: Australia 2, Sri Lanka 2
This is much closer than most people think. In the 2002 semi-final, Sri Lanka knocked Australia out. In 2013, Sri Lanka beat Australia by 20 runs at The Oval, sending them home in the group stage. Australia responded by winning the 2006 final by 8 wickets. The Champions Trophy record is level at 2-2.
Head-to-Head in T20Is: Full Record
SL vs AUS in T20Is (All Matches)
| Stat | Australia | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| Total Matches | 27 | 27 |
| Wins | 17 | 10 |
| Win % | 62.96% | 37.04% |
| First Match | September 20, 2007 (Cape Town) | September 20, 2007 |
| Last Match | February 16, 2026 (Pallekele) | February 16, 2026 |
| Australia Best Bowling vs SL | Adam Zampa | 3/14 |
| Sri Lanka Best Bowling vs AUS | Maheesh Theekshana | 3/24 |
Australia have historically dominated in T20Is, but Sri Lanka’s wins in 2022 (Perth, by 6 wickets) and 2026 (Pallekele, by 8 wickets) show a clear closing of the gap, especially on Asian conditions.
Rivalry: Key Players and Memorable Performances (Era-Wise, Up to 2026)
The Early Era (1975–1995): One-Sided Dominance
Australia were a cricketing powerhouse in this era. Rod Marsh, Greg Chappell, and later Allan Border ran riot. Sri Lanka were still building their cricketing identity and finding it tough at international level. Australia won almost every encounter in this period.
The Golden Era (1996–2007): Lanka Shocks the World
The 1996 World Cup changed everything. Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana reinvented opening batting with their brutal powerplay approach. Aravinda de Silva was magnificent in the final against Australia. Sri Lanka won the World Cup, and the dynamic shifted permanently. Muttiah Muralitharan, the greatest wicket-taker in Test history, made batting against Sri Lanka torturous for Australia through this entire era. In the 2007 ODI World Cup, Australia and Sri Lanka met in the final again and this time Australia won. In the 2009 T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka beat Australia in the Super Eights.
The Modern Era (2008–2020): High Scores, Big Stars
This was the era of Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, and Tillakaratne Dilshan for Sri Lanka, while Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, and later Steven Smith and David Warner for Australia. The Australian Men’s Cricket Team Vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Match Scorecard during this period featured some of the highest run-rates in the history of ODI cricket. Australia generally dominated the bilateral series, but Sri Lanka stayed competitive in ICC tournaments.
The 2021–2026 Era: New Heroes Emerge
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, and Binura Hemantha have given Sri Lanka a dangerous new look. Australia meanwhile have rebuilt around Travis Head, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Adam Zampa. The SL Vs AUS matchups in T20Is since 2022 have been genuinely competitive, with Sri Lanka winning big in both 2022 (Perth) and 2026 (Pallekele).
Greatest Wins in the SL vs AUS Rivalry
| Winner | Margin | Format | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Innings & 242 runs | Test | Galle | 2025 |
| Australia | 96 runs | ODI WC | Centurion | 2003 |
| Sri Lanka | 174 runs | ODI | Colombo | 2025 |
| Sri Lanka | 8 wickets (12 balls remaining) | T20 WC | Pallekele | 2026 |
| Sri Lanka | 7 wickets | ODI WC Final | Lahore | 1996 |
| Australia | 10 wickets | T20 WC | Cape Town | 2007 |
Top Performers Across the Full Rivalry
Top Run Scorers (All Formats, SL vs AUS)
| Player | Team | Format | Estimated Runs vs Opposition | Notable Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Ponting | Australia | ODI/Test | 1,100+ | 140* vs SL, 2003 WC |
| Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka | ODI/Test | 1,000+ | 192 vs AUS, 2011 |
| Mahela Jayawardene | Sri Lanka | ODI/Test | 950+ | 84* vs AUS, CT 2013 |
| Pathum Nissanka | Sri Lanka | T20I/ODI | 350+ | 100* vs AUS, T20 WC 2026 |
| Travis Head | Australia | Test/T20I | 400+ | 56 vs SL, T20 WC 2026 |
Top Wicket Takers (All Formats, SL vs AUS)
| Player | Team | Format | Wickets | Best Figure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | Test/ODI | 50+ | 7/94 vs AUS |
| Glenn McGrath | Australia | Test/ODI | 40+ | 5/14 vs SL |
| Adam Zampa | Australia | T20I/ODI | 21 | 3/14 vs SL |
| Shane Warne | Australia | Test/ODI | 30+ | 5/43 vs SL |
| Maheesh Theekshana | Sri Lanka | T20I | 8 | 3/24 vs AUS |
| Binura Hemantha | Sri Lanka | T20I | 3 | 3/37 vs AUS, T20 WC 2026 |
Fun Facts You Probably Did Not Know
- Australia needed seven ODI matches before recording their first win in Sri Lanka on Sri Lankan soil.
- Sri Lanka’s 2026 T20 WC win over Australia was completed with 12 balls to spare, their most dominant T20 WC victory over the Aussies.
- Nissanka’s 100* in Pallekele was only the second T20I century ever scored by a Sri Lankan batter.
- Adam Zampa is Australia’s highest T20I wicket-taker against Sri Lanka with 21 dismissals.
- The ICC Champions Trophy head-to-head between these two teams is level at 2-2, one of the most balanced sub-records in the entire rivalry.
- Australia have never lost a bilateral Test series against Sri Lanka in Australia.
Where to Follow the Next SL vs AUS Scorecard Live
Want to track the next Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Vs Australia National Cricket Team Match Scorecard in real time? Head to ESPNCricinfo or the ICC’s official website for live scores, ball-by-ball commentary, and full statistics.
Conclusion
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Vs Australia National Cricket Team rivalry is one of cricket’s great stories. Australia lead on paper. There is no getting around it. But Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup win, their 2013 Champions Trophy group win, and their stunning 2026 T20 World Cup performance in Pallekele are proof that this rivalry is anything but one-sided.
The SL Vs AUS battle is richer, fiercer, and more balanced than the raw numbers suggest. Every time these two teams walk out, whether in Galle, Sydney, Colombo, or Pallekele, something memorable happens.
The next chapter of the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Vs Australia National Cricket Team Match Scorecard is always just around the corner. And we will be watching.
? FAQs
Q1. What is the overall head-to-head record between Sri Lanka and Australia?
Australia leads: Tests 22-5, ODIs 64-38, T20Is 17-10 (as of May 2026).
Q2. Who won the most recent SL vs AUS match?
Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets on February 16, 2026 at Pallekele in the T20 World Cup.
Q3. Who won the toss in the February 16, 2026 T20 WC match?
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to field.
Q4. What did Australia score in the T20 WC 2026 match vs Sri Lanka?
Australia scored 181 all out in 20 overs.
Q5. Who was Player of the Match on February 16, 2026?
Pathum Nissanka, 100* off 52 balls.
Q6. What is Australia’s ODI World Cup record against Sri Lanka?
Australia won 9, Sri Lanka won 2, out of 12 matches (1 forfeited, 1 NR).
Q7. What is the Champions Trophy head-to-head record?
Tied 2–2. Sri Lanka won in 2002 and 2013; Australia won in 2006 and 2009.
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