Australia secured a massive innings and 242-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle. This is their biggest-ever Test win against Sri Lanka, surpassing their previous record of an innings and 201-run win in Melbourne back in 2012. It is also their biggest Test win in Asia, breaking the record set in 1998 when they defeated India by an innings and 219 runs at Eden Gardens.
For Sri Lanka, this was their worst defeat in Test history, eclipsing their innings and 239-run loss to India in Nagpur in 2017.
Dominant Batting Performance Sets the Tone
Australia’s dominance was built on a superb batting display. Usman Khawaja led the charge with a brilliant double century, while Steven Smith and Josh Inglis also scored centuries. Australia declared at 654/6, setting an imposing first-innings total. Khawaja’s incredible innings earned him the Player of the Match award.
Spinners Decimate Sri Lanka
Australia’s spinners completely dismantled Sri Lanka’s batting lineup, taking 17 of the 20 wickets. Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann was sensational, claiming 9 wickets in the match, including a five-wicket haul in the first innings. Off-spinner Nathan Lyon was equally destructive, picking up 7 wickets, while Todd Murphy chipped in with one.
Sri Lanka never really got going in their first innings, getting bowled out for just 165 runs after resuming Day 4 at 136/5. They lost their last 5 wickets for just 9 runs.
Following on, Sri Lanka showed some resistance but could only manage 247 runs, as Australia wrapped up the victory inside four days.
Key Moments of the Second Innings
- Early Collapse: Sri Lanka lost both openers with just 6 runs on the board. Within an hour, they had lost 7 wickets for just 15 runs across both innings.
- Brief Fightback: Several batters got good starts, with Dinesh Chandimal (31), Angelo Mathews (41), Kamindu Mendis (32), and Dhananjaya de Silva (39) all contributing, but none could convert to a big score.
- Spin Magic: Lyon and Kuhnemann kept the pressure on, with Kuhnemann completing his second career five-wicket haul.
- Last Stand: Jeffrey Vandersay played a quickfire knock of 53, but it was too little, too late. Kuhnemann dismissed him to seal Australia’s emphatic win.
With this victory, Australia takes a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series. The second and final Test will be played at the same venue, starting on Thursday.
Match Summary:
- Australia 1st Innings: 654/6 decl. (Khawaja 200*, Smith 131, Inglis 113)
- Sri Lanka 1st Innings: 165 all out (Chandimal 72, Mendis 21; Kuhnemann 5/63, Lyon 3/57, Starc 2/13)
- Sri Lanka 2nd Innings (Follow-on): 247 all out (Vandersay 53, Mathews 41, Dhananjaya 39; Kuhnemann 4/86, Lyon 4/78, Murphy 1/57, Starc 1/14)
Result: Australia won by an innings and 242 runs
Player of the Match: Usman Khawaja
