It wasn’t all good news for the Sri Lankans though, losing their nightwatchman in the first over of the innings with just 15 minutes left in the day. The Lankans landed their first ever whitewash against Australia.
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Overnight batsman Kaushal Silva scored a gritty half-century on Tuesday to stretch Sri Lanka’s lead to 163 against Australia’s persistent bowlers in a tight third and final Test in Colombo.
Set 324 for victory, Australia briefly dreamed of a consolation win while David Warner was moving briskly to 68. The target was always going to be out of their reach, but the signs were good at the start with David Warner finding the gaps easily.
Herath then ran through the Australian middle and lower order as the visitors’ batsmen had no answer to his left-arm spin. Australia lost a whopping nine wickets in the post-lunch session to succumb to their ninth consecutive loss on Asian soil.
“You never really get a freebie off him or an easy boundary.He is a terrific bowler in these conditions and he has had a magnificent series”.
First-innings centurion Dhananjaya de Silva was unbeaten on 44, with Suranga Lakmal yet to get off the mark at the close of play.
It was a chastening experience for the Baggy Greens who have traditionally struggled in Asian conditions but were expected to cope with a new-look Sri Lanka team.
Lyon toiled for 37 overs, taking four wickets for 123, while Starc and Holland took two wickets each.
With the 163-run, Sri Lanka handed a humbling defeat to the Steve Smith-led side with the spinners creating havoc throughout the three match series.
Pakistan’s achievement was more impressive as they have not played a Test series on home soil since an armed attack on Sri Lanka’s team bus in Lahore in 2009 turned the country into a no-go area for the world’s leading Test nations.
Chandimal (132) continued Sri Lanka’s superb fightback with his seventh Test century after they were reduced to 26 for five on the first morning with the host’s innings finally coming to an end just before the tea break.
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Who knows where this one will go, but we’re in for a very entertaining day of Test match cricket.
