Australia crush Sri Lanka by 9 wickets in 2nd test to clinch series 2-0

 

Australian spinners made quick work at the start of day 4 to ensure that there was no late order resistance and no further obstacles to their quest for a clean sweep of the Sri Lankan test series . 

Australia entered day four in a dominant position, with Sri Lanka struggling at 54 runs ahead and only two wickets in hand. However, the visitors remained cautious, knowing that Kusal Mendis was still at the crease and capable of extending the contest.

Mendis had been instrumental in preventing Sri Lanka from suffering back-to-back innings defeats, scoring an unbeaten 85 in their first innings. He played a key role in crucial lower-order partnerships, keeping his team in the fight.

However, any hopes of further resistance were quickly quashed as Nathan Lyon struck in just his fourth delivery of the morning, dismissing the main threat. Within 36 minutes and six overs, Sri Lanka was bowled out for 231, leaving Australia with nearly two full days to chase a modest target of 75.

Concerns that the Galle pitch would deteriorate into a nightmare for batters late in the Test proved unfounded. Australia needed only 65 minutes to secure victory, reaching the target in 17.4 overs with the loss of just one wicket—Travis Head.

Head was dismissed after edging a catch behind while attempting to play a delivery angled across him through the off side. However, his role as an aggressive opener paid off, ensuring Sri Lanka had no real chance of an early breakthrough. His 20 off 23 balls effectively nullified any lingering hopes the hosts had of an unlikely collapse.

It was fitting that Usman Khawaja (27 not out) was at the crease when the winning runs were scored, as he had been the standout batter of the series, finishing as the leading run-scorer with 295 runs at a staggering average of 147.

Alongside him, fellow Queenslander Marnus Labuschagne hit the winning single and remained unbeaten on 26 from 39 balls, ending what had been a personally challenging series on a high note.

Adding a touch of symbolism to the moment, former Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne was handed the ball for the final over—his first spell in Test cricket since 2022—marking his 100th and final appearance for his country.

This victory sealed a rare series clean sweep for Australia in Asia, their first since 2006, when Ricky Ponting’s side secured a 2-0 win over Bangladesh, highlighted by Jason Gillespie’s remarkable double century in Chittagong.