Australia vs Sri Lanka Test series : Australia chased down a modest target in Sri Lanka on Sunday to clinch the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy 2-0, marking their first Test series whitewash in Asia in 19 years.
Marnus Labuschagne sealed the nine-wicket victory on day four by glancing a delivery from Dimuth Karunaratne to the leg side, completing Australia’s first clean sweep in Asia since Ricky Ponting led the team to a 2-0 win over Bangladesh in 2006.
This victory in Galle also secured Australia’s first Test series win in Sri Lanka since 2011, when Michael Clarke captained the side to a 1-0 triumph in a three-match series.
Chasing 75 runs for victory, Australia lost Travis Head for 20, but Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne came together at the crease to guide the visitors to a comfortable win.
Australia Secures Historic 2-0 Test Series Whitewash Against Sri Lanka
Khawaja remained unbeaten on 27, while Labuschagne finished not out on 26—a modest but encouraging result for the out-of-form Queenslander following his recent struggles with the bat.
Travis Head fell to off-spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, edging a cut shot softly into the wicketkeeper’s gloves.
Marnus Labuschagne Leads Australia to Nine-Wicket Victory in Galle
Earlier on day four, Steve Smith claimed his 200th Test catch, becoming the first Australian non-wicketkeeper to reach this milestone.
Sri Lanka resumed their innings at 8-211, with Kusal Mendis on 48 and Lahiru Kumara just starting his time at the crease. Mendis brought up his half-century with a cut to deep cover for two runs but was dismissed just two balls later.
Nathan Lyon generated sharp bounce from the dry, deteriorating Galle pitch, causing Mendis to top-edge a delivery while trying to play it off the back foot. The ball ballooned to short fine leg, where Smith was positioned perfectly to secure his landmark 200th catch.
Off-spin accounted for Sri Lanka’s final wicket as the towering Beau Webster bowled Lahiru Kumara, who missed an attempted slog sweep.
Australia initially believed they had wrapped up the innings when Nathan Lyon found Kumara’s outside edge in the previous over, but replays revealed the ball had bounced before reaching Webster at second slip.
Had the catch carried, Lyon would have secured his 25th Test five-wicket haul, but he instead finished with figures of 4-84.
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Left-arm orthodox spinner Matt Kuhnemann impressed with figures of 4-63, solidifying his reputation as a subcontinent specialist, while Beau Webster contributed with 2-6.
Sri Lanka had pinned their hopes on Mendis building his innings and some resistance from the tail, but the hosts managed to add just 20 runs to their overnight lead.
Alex Carey was named Player of the Match for his impressive 156, surpassing Adam Gilchrist’s record to become the highest-scoring Australian wicketkeeper in a Test innings in Asia. Carey also excelled behind the stumps in the second Test, finishing with three catches and a stumping.
Steve Smith claimed Player of the Series honors after amassing 272 runs at an average of 136, with standout innings of 141 and 131. He also led the series with five catches and showcased exceptional leadership as acting captain through his strategic bowling changes and field placements.
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