Australia stick with winning formula for Sri Lanka

With Test skipper Pat Cummins and first-choice spinner Adam Zampa the only notable absentees from the squad, Australia will take a near full strength side into the opening match.

Left-armer Ashton Agar will be given the chance to deputise for Zampa, while Kane Richardson has beaten out fellow quicks Sean Abbott and Jhye Richardson for Cummins' vacant spot.

Skipper Aaron Finch will open the batting alongside left-hander David Warner, while Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith and Marcus Stonis will make up a strong top six for the reigning ICC T20 World Cup champions.

Veteran Matthew Wade will keep wickets and bat at No.7, with experienced duo Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood making up the remainder of the bowling unit.

While the pitch in Colombo is predicted to provide some bounce for Australia's seamers, Finch said it was tempting to play a second specialist spinner and include Mitchell Swepson in the final XI.

"Having seen the conditions over the last couple of days, the square is quite green, there's been a lot of rain around and the outfield is quite heavy," Finch said.

"We are expecting there to be a bit of spin there but it might be a tacky sort of spin. It's not a dry square, it's not a dry surface by any stretch.

"There hasn't been a huge amount of cricket here and with it being the wet season, the wickets are under covers a lot more than what they generally would.

"If Sri Lanka had their preference, it'd probably be on the drier side. But they've (had) a fantastic fast bowling attack over the last couple of years, led by (Dushmantha) Chameera."

Australia XI for first T20I v Sri Lanka: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Josh Hazlewood