Sri Lanka have won a Test series 3-0 against Australia for the first time after beating the tourists by 163 runs in the third Test in Colombo with the spinner Rangana Herath -taking seven wickets in a 13-wicket match haul.
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For Australian team an old truth about turning tracks that ” the one that doesn’t turn that brings with it danger” prooved right as it lost nine matches on subcontinent soil.
One of David Warner, Shaun Marsh or Steve Smith will likely need to make a quickfire century to give Australia any kind of hope while the forecast of early afternoon rain might also play a part.
Herath took a total of 28 wickets in the three Tests, including a match-winning five for 54 in the first match in Pallekele and a hat-trick in the second in Galle.
The teams will now compete in a five-match one-day series beginning in Colombo on Sunday.
Off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who claimed four wickets, trapped Chandimal LBW for 43 in the final session to break the stand.
After a hopeful Lyon review, Angelo Mathews and his team celebrated the historic triumph in the middle of the Sinhalese Sports Club ground and in front of a raucous crowd boosted because of a Sri Lankan public holiday.
Australia were on the end of a 3-0 series whitewash in Sri Lanka and head coach Darren Lehmann acknowledged the steep learning curve.
Australia wasted a brilliant base on Monday when in reply to Sri Lanka’s 355, sinking from 1-267 midway through day three to be rolled for 379.
“He couldn’t run and he couldn’t jump”.
He turned Lyon for a single to square leg to complete his hundred off 281 balls, celebrating with a loud yell as he leapt in the air.
“Our spinners have done their best to adapt, but I suppose their batsmen have played spin exceptionally well and made it very hard for a spinner to settle”, he said. Credit should go to this man. “He has been a great team man as well”.
India have dominated the series, overcoming the loss of an entire day due to rain to win the third Test. Chasing 324 in a bid to salvage some pride, Australia got off to a strong start before surrendering to Herath’s guile and folding for 160 before tea to lose their number one ranking.
“I don’t think we can fault our preparation”.
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Celebrations across Sri LankaSri Lanka’s achievement drew praise from Maithripala Sirisena, the country’s president, as well as former cricket legends Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara.
