Australia dominated Sri Lanka in the second Test at Galle, securing a 2-0 series sweep. Steve Smith shines as Australia gears up for the World Test Championship final against South Africa.
In a commanding display, Australia defeated Sri Lanka by nine wickets in the second Test at Galle International Stadium, completing a 2-0 series sweep on Sunday. This marks Australia’s first Test series victory in Sri Lanka since 2011, providing a significant boost as they prepare to defend their World Test Championship (WTC) title against South Africa in June.
Dominant Performance by Australia
Australia entered the fourth day needing just 25 minutes to wrap up Sri Lanka’s second innings, bowling out the hosts for 231. Chasing a modest target of 75, Australia lost only one wicket, with Usman Khawaja (27) and Marnus Labuschagne (26) steering the team to victory. Sri Lanka’s Dimuth Karunaratne, playing his 100th Test, bowled the final over in a symbolic end to the match.
Steve Smith Shines as Player of the Series
Australian captain Steve Smith, who scored his second century of the series, was named Player of the Series. Reflecting on the team’s performance, Smith praised the batters for adapting to the challenging conditions and the bowlers for their relentless efforts.
“We played really well from the outset,” Smith said. “The plans that the batters came with and were able to adapt to the conditions here were amazing. All our bowlers did a tremendous job.”
Smith also highlighted the team’s growth since their 2016 tour of Sri Lanka, emphasizing the continuous improvement in their strategies.
Key Contributions from Carey and Spinners
Alex Carey, promoted to number five due to Josh Inglis’s injury, played a pivotal role with a career-best 156, forming a 259-run partnership with Smith. Carey’s performance earned him the Player of the Match award.
Australia’s spin duo, Matthew Kuhnemann (4-63) and Nathan Lyon (4-84), were instrumental in dismantling Sri Lanka’s batting lineup. Together, they claimed 30 of the 40 Sri Lankan wickets in the series, showcasing their dominance in spin-friendly conditions.
Sri Lanka’s Struggles Continue
Despite battling half-centuries from Angelo Mathews (76) and Kusal Mendis (50), Sri Lanka failed to challenge Australia’s supremacy. Captain Dhananjaya de Silva expressed disappointment, acknowledging Australia’s superiority throughout the series.
“Losing a home series two-nil is very disappointing. The conditions were suitable for us, but Australia proved why they are in the WTC final,” de Silva said.
Historic Milestone for Steve Smith
Smith achieved a personal milestone during the match, becoming the first Australian and fifth overall to take 200 outfield catches in Test cricket.
Focus Shifts to ODI Series
The teams will now move to Colombo for a two-match ODI series, beginning on Wednesday. Australia will look to carry their Test momentum into the limited-overs format, while Sri Lanka aims to regroup and bounce back.
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