Australia clinched a 2-0 series victory against Sri Lanka after a convincing nine-wicket win in the second and final Test at the Galle International Cricket Stadium. The visitors dominated throughout, sealing the match with a day to spare.
Batting first, Sri Lanka managed 257 runs in their first innings, with notable contributions from Angelo Mathews (72) and Dinesh Chandimal (46). However, the total proved insufficient as Australia responded strongly, amassing 414 runs, thanks to a match-winning 156-run knock from wicketkeeper Alex Carey, supported by captain Steve Smith’s 131.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers, led by Prabath Jayasuriya, struggled to contain the Australian batting lineup, although Jayasuriya managed to take six wickets in the match. Australia’s significant 157-run first-innings lead left Sri Lanka under immense pressure going into the second innings.
On the fourth day, Sri Lanka attempted to fight back but was bowled out for 231, setting Australia a modest target of 75 runs to win. Despite losing Usman Khawaja early for 28, Australia comfortably chased down the total, finishing at 75/1 with Marnus Labuschagne (36) and Steve Smith (11)** at the crease.
The series loss was a major setback for Sri Lanka, as they struggled to put up a competitive fight against a well-rounded Australian side. This match also marked the retirement of former Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne from international Test cricket, bringing an end to his remarkable Test career. Karunaratne, one of Sri Lanka’s most consistent opening batsmen, leaves behind a legacy of resilience and leadership.
With this victory, Australia maintains its dominance in subcontinental conditions, demonstrating their ability to adapt and control games on spin-friendly pitches. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka faces crucial rebuilding challenges as they look to recover from this series defeat and strengthen their squad for future international fixtures.
