• Australia registered a commanding victory over Sri Lanka by nine wickets on Day 4 of the second Test.

  • Australia showcased their dominance and completed a 2-0 series whitewash against Sri Lanka.

Warne-Muralitharan Trophy: Netizens celebrate as Australia thrash Sri Lanka in the second Test to complete series whitewash
Australia vs Sri Lanka (Image Source: X)

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Australia registered a historic Test series win in Sri Lanka after a thumping nine-wicket victory in the second Test at Galle, marking their first series triumph in an Island nation since 2011. The visitors chased down a modest target of 75 on Day 4, with Usman Khawaja (27 not out) and Marnus Labuschagne (26 not out) guiding the team to a comfortable finish. The win was set up by a clinical bowling display, with Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann leading the attack to dismiss Sri Lanka for 231 in their second innings. Lyon finished with four wickets, further solidifying his reputation as one of Australia’s premier spinners, while Kuhnemann also picked up four wickets, capping off a remarkable breakout series.

Steve Smith and Alex Carey’s mammoth partnership sets the tone

Australia’s dominance was built on a phenomenal 259-run partnership between stand-in captain Steve Smith (131) and wicketkeeper Alex Carey (156) in the first innings. Smith’s masterclass with the bat saw him score his second consecutive century in the series, reinforcing his stature as one of the finest Test batters of his generation. Carey, too, delivered a career-defining knock, registering his highest Test score while showing exceptional stroke play and composure. His contribution wasn’t limited to batting; he also showcased outstanding wicketkeeping skills, taking three catches and executing a sharp stumping to dismiss Dinesh Chandimal for 74. Their stand powered Australia to a formidable first-innings total of 414, which ultimately proved decisive in dictating the course of the match.

Final wicket controversy and Kusal Mendis’ dismissal at a crucial moment

The closing moments of Sri Lanka’s innings were marred by controversy when Lahiru Kumara edged a delivery from Lyon to Beau Webster at second slip. However, replays suggested the ball had bounced before reaching Webster’s hands, leading to a brief delay in celebrations. The third umpire ruled Kumara not out, but the drama was short-lived, as Webster bowled him with his very next delivery, wrapping up the innings.

Kusal Mendis, who had shown resilience with a well-compiled half-century, was dismissed in dramatic fashion as well. Just two balls after reaching his fifty, Mendis attempted a pull shot against a sharply rising delivery from Lyon but found himself in an awkward position. His mistimed shot resulted in a simple catch to Steve Smith at short fine leg, marking the Australian captain’s 200th Test catch – an incredible milestone that brings him within ten catches of Rahul Dravid’s all-time record.

Also WATCH: Steve Smith plucks a one-handed screamer to dismiss Dhananjaya de Silva on Day 3 of second Test – SL vs AUS

Matthew Kuhnemann’s breakout series establishes him as a key spinner

Matthew Kuhnemann emerged as one of Australia’s standout performers, proving his effectiveness in subcontinental conditions. His seven-wicket haul in the match took his series tally to 16 wickets at an exceptional average of 17.18, making him the most successful left-arm orthodox spinner for Australia in Sri Lanka. His ability to extract turn and maintain tight lines played a significant role in Australia’s dominance, complementing the efforts of senior spinner Lyon.

With this performance, Kuhnemann has staked his claim for a permanent role in Australia’s Test setup, particularly for future tours to the subcontinent. Meanwhile, debutant Cooper Connolly had a forgettable outing, scoring just four runs and bowling only five overs. Despite the disappointing start, the selectors’ faith in the 21-year-old all-rounder suggests that he will be given further opportunities to prove himself at the highest level.

Sri Lanka’s batting falters despite individual contributions

Although Sri Lanka showed improvement from their innings-and-242-run defeat in the first Test, their batters failed to capitalize on promising starts. Dinesh Chandimal (74) and Kusal Mendis (85 not out) were the bright spots in the first innings, while Angelo Mathews (76) and Mendis (50) showed resistance in the second innings.

However, their inability to convert these starts into big hundreds hurt Sri Lanka’s chances of staging a comeback. On the bowling front, left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya led the attack with figures of 5/151 in the first innings and also claimed the only wicket to fall in Australia’s second innings, dismissing Travis Head for 20. However, the hosts lacked a cutting edge with the ball, and Australia’s superior all-round performance ensured their dominance throughout the series.

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Also WATCH: SL vs AUS – Prabath Jayasuriya bowls a jaffa to dismiss Josh Inglis for a duck on Day 3 of the second Test

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