International Cricket

Australia Tour Sri Lanka 2026 ODI/T20I Fixtures Broadcast Decoded

Anjali Iyer 19 May 2026 Updated 19 May 2026 ~5 min read ~920 words

Hambantota stadium under floodlights for an ODI

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After the two-Test series ending July 6, Australia's white-ball leg in Sri Lanka runs from July 11 to July 21, 2026 with two ODIs and three T20Is across Hambantota and Colombo. The white-ball series doubles as both nations' final-format competitive cricket before the August windows. Here is the full schedule, broadcast partners by country, and ticket release dates with availability at the time of writing.

The five-match white-ball schedule

ODI 1: Saturday July 11 at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota. Start time 2:30 pm Sri Lanka time. Toss 2:00 pm. Day-night ODI with floodlights from 5:00 pm.

ODI 2: Tuesday July 14 at Mahinda Rajapaksa, Hambantota. Same format. Hambantota typically offers a slower outfield than Colombo and is a venue where spin tends to dominate the second innings.

T20I 1: Friday July 17 at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Start time 7:00 pm. Toss 6:30 pm. Day-night T20I.

T20I 2: Sunday July 19 at R. Premadasa, Colombo. Same format.

T20I 3: Tuesday July 21 at R. Premadasa, Colombo. Series finale, same format.

Travel between Hambantota and Colombo is 4 hours by road. Australian squad travels July 16. Sri Lankan squad travels separately based on captain availability and individual rest assignments.

Broadcast in major markets

In Australia: Fox Cricket and Kayo. Start times in AEST: ODIs at 7:00 pm; T20Is at 11:30 pm. The two ODIs are prime evening; the three T20Is are late night.

In Sri Lanka: SLRC (Rupavahini) terrestrial free-to-air, and Channel Eye with sister channel highlights. Hindi commentary available on JioCinema/Star Sports India for visiting fans.

In India: Jio Hotstar carries all five matches. Start times in IST: ODIs at 2:00 pm; T20Is at 6:30 pm. The Sri Lankan time-zone matches India well; viewing is comfortable.

In UK: Sky Sports Cricket. Start times in BST: ODIs at 10:00 am; T20Is at 2:30 pm. UK evening viewing windows.

In USA: Willow TV. Start times in ET: ODIs at 5:00 am; T20Is at 9:30 am. Working-morning viewing is challenging for ODIs; T20Is more workable.

In UAE: Cricbuzz Live and SuperSport. Start times in GST: ODIs at 1:00 pm; T20Is at 5:30 pm.

In South Africa: SuperSport. Start times in SAST: ODIs at 11:00 am; T20Is at 3:30 pm.

Tickets and availability

Sri Lanka Cricket released tickets for the white-ball matches on March 20, 2026. ODI tickets range USD 12 (standard) to USD 50 (premium) to USD 95 (VIP hospitality). T20I tickets range USD 18 (standard) to USD 65 (premium) to USD 110 (VIP).

Hambantota ODI 1 currently has approximately 65% of seats sold. Hambantota ODI 2 has approximately 70%. R. Premadasa T20I 1 has approximately 85% sold (the series opener for the T20I leg is the most-attended). T20I 2 and 3 have approximately 75% sold each.

International fan tickets through SLC fan portal include a USD 5 facilitation fee. Tickets are non-refundable after release; reserve-day tickets are not separately sold.

What to expect tactically

In ODIs, Hambantota slows toward the end of the innings. The wicket-taking phase for spinners is overs 35 to 45. Australia's spin trio (Adam Zampa primarily, with Travis Head and Glenn Maxwell bowling part-time) will be the wicket-taking unit. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins lead the new-ball threat. Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith anchor the middle order.

In T20Is, R. Premadasa is more pace-friendly than Hambantota. The dimensions are also marginally smaller, which helps the boundary-hitting batters. Australia's T20I powerplay batting (Travis Head, David Warner's replacement, Tim David at the death) will be the marquee element. Sri Lanka's answer is Wanindu Hasaranga (leg-spin), Maheesh Theekshana (off-spin), and Charith Asalanka in the middle order.

Travel and visa logistics

For Indian, UK, Australian, and most European fans, the Sri Lanka ETA covers tourism for up to 30 days. Cost USD 50. Apply online 72 hours before travel.

Internal travel: Hambantota airport (Mattala) operates limited international flights, mostly via Colombo. Most fans fly into Colombo's Bandaranaike International and connect overland. Hotels in Hambantota during the white-ball Test weeks are 80% occupied; book early. Colombo hotels remain comfortable to book closer to event dates.

What it means

The white-ball series closes Australia's 2025-26 international winter. Sri Lanka go into a six-week break before their next assignment. Hambantota delivers spin-friendly ODIs; R. Premadasa delivers pace-friendly T20Is. The broadcast windows favour Indian and UAE viewers most; Australian viewers face late-night T20Is. The series is part of Sri Lanka's preparation for the Asia Cup later in 2026. Travel logistics are straightforward. The cricket promises to be tight.