Australia secured a rare Test series victory in Sri Lanka, completing a 2-0 sweep with a commanding nine-wicket win in the second Test at Galle. Led by stand-in skipper Steven Smith, Australia’s clinical performance marked their first Test series win in Sri Lanka since 2011 and only their second series victory in Asia since 2011.
Needing just 75 runs to seal the win on day four, Australia lost Travis Head early but cruised home with Usman Khawaja (27*) and Marnus Labuschagne (26*) at the crease. Labuschagne, under scrutiny for his form, hit the winning run, sealing Australia’s first clean sweep in Asia since their 2-0 win over Bangladesh in 2006.
Sri Lanka’s hopes of setting a challenging target faded quickly as they were bowled out for 231 early in the morning session. Kusal Mendis (50) briefly threatened before falling to Nathan Lyon, who, along with Matthew Kuhnemann, took four wickets each. The spin duo combined for 30 of Sri Lanka’s 40 wickets in the series, highlighting Australia’s tactical mastery in the subcontinent.
Smith, who was exceptional throughout the series with back-to-back centuries, capped off his leadership with his 200th Test catch. Despite showing signs of discomfort, possibly from a pre-series elbow injury, he remained on the field and was padded up to bat if needed.
Beau Webster, in his all-round role, impressed with sharp catching and a wicket off his first delivery as Australia dismantled Sri Lanka’s lower order. Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc’s impactful spells reinforced his stellar record in Sri Lanka.
For Sri Lanka, the series marked a disappointing end to opener Dimuth Karunaratne’s Test career, as the hosts suffered their fourth consecutive defeat. Their batting frailties were exposed throughout, with only sporadic resistance from Mendis, Angelo Mathews, and Dinesh Chandimal.
With this emphatic victory, Australia’s spin attack proved its worth in unfamiliar conditions, while Smith’s tactical acumen and leadership ensured the team executed their plans to perfection. The triumph will be remembered as a dominant display reminiscent of the Steve Waugh era, as Australia continues to redefine its approach to cricket in Asia.
