Australia's regular captain Greg Chappell made himself unavailable for selection, and Kim Hughes was re-instated.

The Australian squad selected for the tour was as follows: Doug Walters was overlooked despite a strong summer at home.

[2][3] Bruce Yardley had been Australia's most successful spinner that summer with 47 wickets, followed by Jim Higgs with 38.

He played an outstanding innings of 149 not out, sharing partnerships of 117 with Graham Dilley for the eighth wicket, 67 with Chris Old for the ninth and 37 with Bob Willis for the tenth, to set Australia a target of 130.

England also went on to win the fifth Test at Old Trafford to retain the Ashes, including another century for Botham (who reached his hundred in 86 balls).

The first-class match was played at Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium in Colombo and ended in a draw after being badly affected by the weather.