COLOMBO, Oct 31: World champions Australia will play three Tests and five one-day internationals on a six-week tour of Sri Lanka early next year, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced on Friday.

The Australians arrive in Colombo on Feb 14, just four days after the scheduled third final of the home one-day series against India and Zimbabwe.

The two teams will play five one-day internationals before the first Test starts in the southern coastal town of Galle on March 8.

Australia last played a Test series in Sri Lanka in 1999, losing 1-0.

Australia’s schedule in Sri Lanka:

Feb 20: First one-day international, Dambulla

Feb 22: Second one-day international, Dambulla

Feb 25: Third one-day international, Colombo

Feb 27: Fourth one-day international, Colombo

Feb 29: Fifth one-day international, Colombo

March 8-12: First Test, Galle,

March 16-20: Second Test, Kandy

March 24-28: Third Test, Colombo.—AFP