Australia clinch 2-0 Test series win in Sri Lanka

Australia secured a dominant 9-wicket victory in the second Test in Galle, chasing down a target of just 75 runs. With this win, they completed a 2-0 series sweep over Sri Lanka in the two-match Test series.

This triumph marks Australia’s second Test series win in Asia over the past 14 years, with their previous victory coming against Pakistan in 2022. It is also their first Test series win in Sri Lanka since 2011.

On the fourth day of the Test, Sri Lanka resumed their second innings with 211 runs on the board and 8 wickets down, holding a 54-run lead. Kusal was unbeaten at 48. However, Sri Lanka could only bat for about half an hour with their remaining two wickets before being bowled out for 231 runs. In their first innings, they had scored 257 runs. Australia had posted 414 runs in their first innings. In the final chase, Australia reached the target of 75 runs, securing the win with just one wicket remaining.

Australia’s spin duo of Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann played a key role in the victory, with both spinners taking 7 wickets each in the second Test. In total, they claimed 30 wickets in the series, with Kuhnemann taking 16 and Lyon 14. Alex Carey was named the Player of the Match for his contributions.

On the Sri Lankan side, former captain Dimuth Karunaratne, playing his final Test, scored 14 runs in the last innings. Steve Smith, who played a pivotal role throughout the match, made history by becoming the first Australian fielder to take 200 Test catches. He was also named the Player of the Series for his exceptional performance.