As Sri Lanka took a lap of honour around the Sinhalese Sports Club with the fans on their feet, Steve Simth’s Australia looked on wondering just what they are to do to register a Test win in Sri Lanka and the sub-continent.
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It was the third time in a row that the Australians had lost all of their Tests in away series against teams from the subcontinent.
Shaun Marsh, a centurion from the first innings, added 77 for the first wicket with Warner but both fell to off-spinner Dilruwan Perera, and the rest of the Australia line-up could not cope with the wily Herath, who returned match figures of 13-145.
“I don’t care whether they play for Australia or not – I’ve seen a little bit of a stumping this afternoon in Sri Lanka, I didn’t like it – sneaky, sneaky”.
Smith admitted that Australia, who have now lost their status as No. 1 Test side to India, were comprehensively outplayed by the Sri Lankans.
Nathan Lyon (4-123) and Mitchell Starc (2-72) were best with the ball for Australia.
Sri Lanka set the imposing victory target after Angelo Mathews declared at 8-347 in their second innings early on Wednesday after resuming on 8-312.
The day belonged to Silva who, after scores of 4,7,5,2 and 0 in the last five innings, cover-drove an Adam Voges full toss to bring up his third test fifty in 251 balls.
Mitchel Starc became the highest wicket taker by a visiting fast bowler in a Test Series in Sri Lanka by breaking Richard Hadlee’s record of 23 wickets.
Overnight batsman de Silva followed up his first innings century with an unbeaten 65.
The teams now play five One-Day Internationals with the first of those games on August 21, at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Herath was again at the forefront for Sri Lanka. However if the first leg is called off for security reasons England have to arrange more than one warm-up in India if they are to have a chance against the home spinners.
“He had a groin strain, he couldn’t run, he couldn’t jump”. Credit should go to this man.
“Whitewash over the No 1 Test team, one of the greatest Test series wins. proud of the boys, Congratulations #SLvAUS”, Jayasuriya, who was at SSC to savour the historis win, tweeted.
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But India’s stay at the top of the table could be equally short-lived.
