Australia achieved a nine-wicket victory over Sri Lanka, winning the second Test and the series 2-0. Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne led the chase, while Nathan Lyon excelled with the ball. This win is Australia’s first Test series victory in Sri Lanka in 14 years, despite no change in WTC standings.
Australia triumphed in their second Test against Sri Lanka, winning by nine wickets to complete a 2-0 series sweep. Set a modest target of 75 runs, Australia lost only one wicket, that of Travis Head, before achieving the victory in 17.4 overs. Usman Khawaja (27 not out) and Marnus Labuschagne (26 not out) performed well, with Labuschagne hitting the winning run off Dimuth Karunaratne, marking Australia’s first Test series win in Sri Lanka in 14 years.
In their second innings, Sri Lanka could only manage 20 additional runs from an overnight score of 211/8, collapsing to 231 all out. Notably, Nathan Lyon was instrumental for Australia, claiming 4 wickets for 84 runs, bringing his career total to 553 Test wickets. Beau Webster also shone with the ball, capturing 2 wickets for just 6 runs.
Karunaratne concluded his Test career with 7,222 runs, ranking fourth on Sri Lanka’s all-time list. His final performance included scoring only 14 runs in the second innings before being dismissed by Matthew Kuhnemann, who finished with an impressive 4/63. Australia’s bowling dominance was complemented by strong batting performances from Steve Smith and Alex Carey, both of whom recorded centuries during the series.
Despite this victory, there was no change in World Test Championship standings. Australia gained rating points, rising from 65.74 to 67.54, but remained second behind South Africa. Sri Lanka dropped in ratings from 41.67 to 38.46, finishing sixth in the standings. Australia will face South Africa in the World Test Championship final in June at Lord’s.
This victory marks a significant achievement for Australia as they secure their first Test series win in Sri Lanka in 14 years. The win not only boosts team morale but also highlights the effectiveness of their bowling attack led by Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann. Additionally, the series showcased pivotal performances from key Australian batters, helping solidify their position in the ongoing World Test Championship.
In summary, Australia’s nine-wicket win in the second Test against Sri Lanka sealed a 2-0 series victory, showcasing their dominance in both batting and bowling. This victory marks their first Test series win in Sri Lanka in over a decade. Despite improving their rating points, Australia remains second in the World Test Championship standings. They will now prepare for the final against South Africa at Lord’s in June.
Original Source: www.news9live.com
