Match Overview
Australia secured a dominant 9-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second Test match on Sunday, completing a 2-0 series sweep. Chasing a modest target of 75 runs, Marnus Labuschagne (26*) sealed the win by taking a single off Dimuth Karunaratne’s delivery just 15 minutes before lunch on Day 4.
Key Highlights
- Australia’s first Test series win in Sri Lanka since 2011.
- Sri Lanka’s fourth consecutive Test loss.
- Steve Smith’s 200th Test catch.
- Australia’s fourth consecutive Test victory.
Match Summary
| Team | 1st Innings Score | 2nd Innings Score | Total Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | 212 | 221 | 433 |
| Australia | 358 | 75/1 | 433 |
Australia’s Run Chase
| Batsman | Runs Scored |
| Marnus Labuschagne | 26* |
| Usman Khawaja | 27* |
| Travis Head | 20 |
Prabath Jayasuriya managed to claim Travis Head’s wicket, but Khawaja and Labuschagne ensured a comfortable win by putting together an unbeaten 37-run stand.
Sri Lanka’s Second Innings Collapse
| Batsman | Runs |
| Kusal Mendis | 50 |
| Lahiru Kumara | 9 |
| Dimuth Karunaratne | 30 |
Kusal Mendis completed his half-century before being dismissed by Nathan Lyon, who took four wickets in the innings. Matthew Kuhnemann also delivered a strong performance, claiming four wickets for 63 runs.
Key Bowling Performances
| Bowler | Wickets | Runs Conceded |
| Nathan Lyon | 4 | 84 |
| Matthew Kuhnemann | 4 | 63 |
| Beau Webster | 1 | 29 |
Smith’s Milestone
Steve Smith took his 200th Test catch, joining an elite list of players including Jacques Kallis, Mahela Jayawardene, Rahul Dravid, and Joe Root.
Series History & Future Prospects
- Australia last won a Test series in Sri Lanka in 2011 under Ricky Ponting’s captaincy.
- In 2016, Steve Smith’s Australia faced a 3-0 whitewash in Sri Lanka.
- The 2022 series ended in a 1-1 draw.
- Australia will now gear up for the World Test Championship final against South Africa in June.
Conclusion
This comprehensive victory marks a significant turnaround for Australia, especially under Steve Smith’s leadership in the absence of Pat Cummins. The team’s dominance in Sri Lanka after over a decade highlights their growing confidence as they prepare for their next challenge in the Test arena.
