Mathews fell to Lyon attempting a sweep shot but Sri Lanka’s lead swelled towards the 200-mark which could prove quite a task for Australia’s spin-wary batsmen on a final day pitch at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground. De Silva, who debuted in Pallekele, led the series run tally with 325 at 65.00.
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Warner made 68 off 94 deliveries inclusive of six fours and a six as Australia lost wickets at regular intervals, eventually succumbing at 160.
Herath, who was adjudged the Player of the Match and Series, wreaked havoc on the tourists on a raging turner as he grabbed seven wickets to add to his first innings six-wicket haul.
Defeat meant that Australia dropped down to third in the ICC Test Rankings.
India, who have already clinched the Test series against West Indies after victories in Antigua and St. Lucia, benefited from Australia’s insipid batting on Sri Lanka’s raging turners.
Australian wicketkeeper Peter Nevill is confident Australia can still win the test, providing they take the two remaining wickets quickly. Mendis, with only one first-class century before this campaign, played the innings that effectively determined the course of the series.
Herath picked six wickets and Dilruwan Perera took two.
While the Australian camp can be imagined going through gloom and despair following their terrible run in Sri Lanka, there is a cricketing house which has somewhat sadistic smile. Angelo Mathews allowed his men almost five overs to bump the target up to 324, which required Australia to make their highest ever fourth-innings total in Asia.
England do not have any warm-up games scheduled in India because they are due to play in Bangladesh first.
Smith praised the efforts of 73-Test veteran Herath, who, at 38, remains one of the sport’s premier spinners.
It was a complete capitulation. Smith was bowled off-stump trying to cut a ball too close to his body, while Voges was trapped plumb in front as Australia tottered at 102 for 3.
Warner had shown excellent patience and skill with his feet in particular, but he was bowled around his legs by Perera (2-71) and Mathews sharply ran out Moises Henriques (4). Mitchell Marsh was caught behind off a attractive turning delivery.
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Kusal was involved again two overs later, when he stumped Josh Hazlewood for nought, Herath’s sixth wicket.
