4 Tests that Australia have won in their last six appearances in Sri Lanka. In 2004, they swept the series 3-0, and took the three-Test series 1-0 in their next visit, in 2011. The last time Australia lost a Test in Sri Lanka was at Kandy in 1999. Australia's overall record of 6-1 is easily the best win-loss record for any overseas team in Sri Lanka.
1-10 Australia's win-loss record in their last 15 Tests in Asia, since the start of 2008. During this period, they have lost 2-0 to Pakistan, 4-0 to India, and 2-0 (twice) to India.
4-10 Sri Lanka's win-loss record in their last 15 Tests, since December 2014. During this period they have lost home series against Pakistan (2-1) and India (2-1), and away series in England (2-0) and New Zealand (2-0, twice). In this period (December 2014 onwards), their win-loss record in Tests poorer than all teams except West Indies and Bangladesh.
4 Home Tests lost by Sri Lanka in 2015, the most-ever in a calendar year. They lost twice each to Pakistan and India.
45.03 Australia's bowling average in Asia since the start of 2008; in 15 Tests they have taken 207 wickets, an average of 13.8 wickets per match. In 46 home Tests in the same period, they have averaged 30.68 runs per wicket, and 17.8 wickets per Test.
52.63 Average for Australia's spinners in their last 15 Tests in Asia, the worst among all teams since the start of 2008. Nathan Lyon has conceded 49.11 runs for each of his 26 wickets in Asia, though he did better in Sri Lanka, taking eight wickets at 36.87. His recent form has been superb too: in 15 Tests since June 2015, he has taken 57 wickets at 26.17.
1 Century for David Warner in 12 Test innings in Asia - 133 against Pakistan in Dubai in 2014. He averages 36.16 in Asia, against a career average of 50.06.
24.11 Rangana Herath's bowling average in home Tests in the last two years: in 11 matches, he has taken 67 wickets, with six five-fors and two ten-wicket hauls. He also has a good record in home Tests against Australia, taking 26 wickets in five games at an average of 28.07.
31.07 The batting average for Sri Lanka's top seven batsmen in Tests since December 2014, lower than all teams except West Indies. Australia's top seven have averaged 53.15 during this period, the highest among all teams. For Sri Lanka, Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews have averaged more than 40, but Kaushal Silva has averaged only 26.79 in 24 innings, and Lahiru Thirimanne 22.30 in 22 innings.
28.03 Sri Lanka's average opening partnership since December 2014, lower than all teams except Pakistan and West Indies. Australia have averaged 58.38 for the first wicket in the same period, with nine century stands in 35 innings, compared to Sri Lanka's one in 29.
377 The target chased down in the fourth innings by Pakistan in the most recent Test in Pallekele, which is also the venue for the first Test of this series. On that occasion, Pakistan won by seven wickets after conceding a 63-run lead. The three previous Tests in Pallekele were all drawn.