Australia will play two Test matches in Galle during their tour of Sri Lanka from late January. These two matches that can be crucial for both sides in their fight to reach the World Test Championship final. An ODI has also been included in the trip to help prepare for the Champions Trophy. The Test matches will take place from 29 January to 2 February and 6-10 February, while the ODI is scheduled for 13 February at a venue to be announced later. Both teams will head off for Pakistan after the ODI for the Champions Trophy. Last time Australia toured Sri Lanka was in 2022, and the Test series was leveled at 1-1. Australia had won the first Test, but Prabath Jayasuriya took 12 wickets on his debut to take the series level for Sri Lanka in the second Test. Pat Cummins, the Australian skipper, might be ruled out for at least a part of the tour with his second child expected to arrive. The Australian team is likely to land in Sri Lanka on January 20, and those who have BBL contracts might be available until the conclusion of the regular season. Head coach Andrew McDonald said: "We'll see what that looks like closer to the time. We've got a couple of players in Mitch Marsh and Travis Head taking paternity leave at the moment. So we respect that if that was to unfold for that particular time and if he wants to miss a Test. If he's got bigger things to take care of than a Test match in Sri Lanka, then that's fine with us." Also Read | India Drops Intra-Squad Match for Training Ahead of BGT 2024-25 According to McDonald and chair of selectors George Bailey, they will select those who will best suit for the Sri Lankan conditions. Returning might be Glenn Maxwell since he has been one of their regular players. It has been said that for this series, left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann can also be in consideration and may be added because their left-arm spinners have been doing well across this region. Former spinner of Australia, Steve O'Keefe, has told selectors to look at red-ball preparation for the spinners chosen to support Lyon, even if it means missing BBL games. To ESPNcricinfo, he said: "I think if we're really going to be serious about the young spinners going over there, whoever is going to accompany Nathan [Lyon], is the Big Bash the best preparation? I'd be encouraging the selectors to let these spinners be going earlier and then I'd be encouraging those spinners to practice with a red ball in between Big Bash games."