Australia crush Sri Lanka to seal 2-0 series sweep

Rex Clementine in Galle

Australia wrapped up a dominant 2-0 sweep of the Test series against Sri Lanka, romping to a comprehensive nine wicket victory before lunch on day four at Galle on Sunday. It was a ruthless display from the world’s No. 1 Test side, who hardly put a foot wrong throughout the series.

Chasing a modest target of 75, openers Travis Head and Usman Khawaja put on 38 for the first wicket, looking at ease on a surface that had played tricks throughout the game. However, Prabath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka’s tireless workhorse, provided the breakthrough, drawing an edge from Head, who was snapped up behind the stumps.

Marnus Labuschagne strode in at number three and posted his highest score in the series and together with Khawaja knocked off the target.

With three runs required for the win, Dimuth Karunaratne, playing his 100th and last Test match, was called up to bowl his part-time off-spin and Labuschagne flicked his third delivery to mid-wicket to level the scores and with another flick in the next ball sealed the win.

The tourists had already stamped their authority on Galle’s dustbowl, having bulldozed Sri Lanka by an innings and 242 runs in the first Test – handing the hosts their heaviest defeat in Test history. This time, the contest was more drawn out, but the result was never in doubt.

The final rites were performed with 16 minutes to lunch, triggering jubilant celebrations among the Australian faithful, who far outnumbered the locals in the stands. Many fans perched themselves atop the historic Dutch Fort – built by the Portuguese in 1588 and fortified by the Dutch in the 17th century – soaking in the sun and the spectacle. One banner, unfurled along the ramparts, read “Shane Warne Stand”, a tribute to the late leg-spinning maestro who had claimed his 500th Test wicket at this very ground. Another banner fired a warning shot: “South Africa, you’re next!” – a nod to the upcoming World Test Championship final at Lord’s in June, where Australia and South Africa will battle for the coveted mace.

Australia once again proved why they are perched atop the Test rankings, delivering a clinical performance from start to finish. Fully aware that Galle’s turning pitches can be as treacherous as a snake pit, the visitors had left nothing to chance. They had set up a week-long training camp in Dubai, honing their skills against turning tracks, and that meticulous preparation paid dividends.

The batting unit put up a masterclass – registering a double hundred and four centuries in the series. With scoreboard pressure firmly on Sri Lanka, Australia’s spinners turned the screws. Not a single Sri Lankan batter managed a century across the two Tests, with Kusal Mendis’ unbeaten 85 standing as the highest individual score.

Resuming the fourth morning at 211 for eight, Sri Lanka’s hopes of prolonging the inevitable fizzled out within 26 minutes. The tail wagged only momentarily, adding a mere 20 runs before the final two wickets fell.

Matthew Kuhnemann and Nathan Lyon shared the spoils, but it was the unassuming Kuhnemann who stole the show. Playing just his fifth Test, the left-arm spinner finished as the leading wicket-taker of the series with 16 scalps, outshining the seasoned Lyon. There were no magic tricks – no rabbits pulled out of hats – just unwavering discipline. He bowled a relentless line and length, letting the pitch do the talking. That he did so just weeks after breaking his right thumb only added to the magnitude of his achievement.

Sri Lanka’s slim hopes of resistance rested on Kusal Mendis and for a while, he gave them a glimmer. Following up his first-innings half-century, he notched another fifty, reaching the milestone with a crisp punch through the covers off Lyon. But his joy was short-lived. Off the very next ball, Lyon extracted extra bounce, catching Mendis in two minds – an attempted flick ended up as a simple catch to Steve Smith at short fine leg.

Smith, as safe as houses in the field, etched his name into the record books. By completing that catch, he became only the fifth player in Test history to bag 200 grabs, joining an elite club featuring Rahul Dravid, Joe Root, Mahela Jayawardene, and Jacques Kallis.