Sri Lanka have already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series and will now look to whitewash Australia for the very first time in their history.
Advertisement
Australia also benefited from a review after Holland had Kusal Perera caught off a top edge which took the pads and went into the gloves of the wicketkeeper.
Steven Smith and Shaun Marsh scored unbeaten half-centuries to launch a strong response from Australia after Dinesh Chandimal’s patient hundred pushed Sri Lanka’s first-innings total to 355 on the second day of the third and final Test Sunday.
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.
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.
Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc changed his bowling boots in between overs and several lengthy team discussions were held on the pitch, prompting Mathews to call his batsmen back in the pavilion.
The 22-year-old from South Australia has already played in worldwide cricket, having represented his country in one ODI and two T20Is before this series against Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka now have the chance to register their first whitewash against a major team since gaining Test status in 1981.
The teams now play five One-Day Internationals with the first of those games on August 21, at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Australia crumbled in 44.1 overs against an all-spin attack in the second innings at the spin-friendly Sinhalese Sports Club – indeed, only 17 of the 169.2 overs they faced in the match were bowled by seamers.
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.
Advertisement
The Sri Lanka opener had remained in his crease after leaving Lyon’s delivery, but after a delay momentarily lifted his foot and the quick-thinking Nevill whipped of the bails to send him on his way. I think Sri Lanka have played some great cricket over this series. Herath ended the series as top wicket-taker with 28 wickets at 12.65 and his reputation as the best spinner in the world further reinforced.
