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.

A national record performance in the women’s 10,000 metres by Kelaniya University undergraduate Rasara Wijesuriya and a national youth record performance in the 1,500 metres by emerging talent Savindu Avishka of Dhammissara National School were among top performances in the season opening track and field event at Diyagama on Sunday.

Rasara broke Hiruni Wijayaratne’s national record (33:55.04 secs) with a feat of 33:39.60 second.

The meet was given a positive start by olympian Sumeda Ranasinghe who cleared a distance of 82.56 metres to win the men’s javelin throw. National record holder Rumesh Tharanga was placed second with a feat of 79.58 metres.

Shavindu Awishka who won a South Asian junior medal last year established new national under 18 record with a performance of 3:58.24 seconds in the 1,500 metres. Lahiru Achintha from St. Aloysius’ College Ratnapura bettered the previous record with a feat of 3:59.24 seconds.

High jumper Lesandu Arthavidu equalled Sri Lanka under 20 record in high jump with a feat of 2.18 metres. Arthavidu equalled Manjula Kumara Wijesekara’s record set in 2002.

By A Special Sports Correspondent

Kandy Sports Club produced thunder at Longden Place on Sunday as they went on to beat reigning champions CR&FC by 32 points to 10 in their inter-club league rugby tournament first round fixture in the presence of a large crowd.

Kandy left no chance for CR to make a comeback in this game and dominated both halves. The winners collected their points through five tries, two conversions and a penalty while CR responded with a try, a conversion and a penalty.

Kandy played the game at a furious pace and recorded tries through Danushka Ranjan (2), Kavindu Perera (2) and Dahan Wickremaarachchi (1) while CR responded with a try courtesy Achintha Radeeshan and a conversion and penalty by M.Doray.

Kandy SC led 15-7 at half time.

From Kandy’s second half tries, the best touchdown came from Kavindu Perera who breezed through off sweeping backline move.

Kandy’s forwards complimented the hard working back division with some powerful driving moves. Kandy SC forwards also dominated much of the set pieces.

In the other Division 1 game played yesterday, Police Sports Club smashed Sri Lions SC by 28 points to 10 at Ratmalana.

In one of the two matches played on Saturday, Air Force scored a hard fought 27-19 win over a fighting Army Sports Club outfit at Panagoda. The winners collected their points through four tries, two conversions and one penalty while the soldiers responded with three tries and two conversions.

In the other match played on Saturday, CH&FC scored a run-away 69 points to 24 win over Navy Sport Club at Race Course.

CH’s Pasindu Bandara was at his brilliant best and touched down twice. Some of the other players to dazzle for CH were Nirosh Perera (two tries) and Janith Chandimal who slotted in seven conversions.

The players who stood out for Navy were Isuru Perera (one try), A. Wijesinghe (one try) and Thilina Weerasinghe who contributed 14 points which came through a try, three conversions and one penalty.

Havelocks Sports Club didn’t have a game this week.