AUSTRALIA V SRI LANKA
Day four of the second Warne-Muralidaran Trophy Test match in Galle, Sri Lanka
SCORES: Sri Lanka 257 and 231, Australia 414 and 1-75
SUMMARY: Australia have confirmed their first Test series whitewash on the subcontinent since 2006 after claiming a nine-wicket victory on day four of the second Test in Galle. After going to stumps at 8-211 on day three, Sri Lanka lasted less than half an hour before being skittled for 231 on Sunday, only 74 runs ahead of the tourists. Travis Head (20) was caught behind halfway through the straightforward run chase, before fellow opener Usman Khawaja and under-fire No.3 Marnus Labuschagne shared an unbeaten 37-run stand that sealed victory.
THE MOMENT: Sri Lanka would have liked their chances of making a game of things if they could have added 100 runs or so for the final two wickets, particularly given the tricks the Galle pitch played at times. But when a Kusal Mendis top edge sailed to Steve Smith in the slips from Nathan Lyon’s bowling, Sri Lanka were left without a recognised batter and limped to the finish.
THE PLAYER: Under immense pressure to hold his spot with a glut of batting options available, Labuschagne (26no) looked as good as he has this series, forging the match-sealing partnership with Khawaja (27no). Two fours past cover were highlights for Labuschagne, who hit the winning run to square leg just before lunch.
THE STAT: Holding on to Kusal in the slips, Smith became only the fifth man in Test cricket history to take 200 catches – outside of wicketkeepers. He is the only Australian to reach that mark, and could become the leader for the stat by the end of the calendar year. Retired Indian batter Rahul Dravid (210) heads the tally, though second-placed Joe Root (207) is still playing for England.
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