Lankans sweep Aussies off the top
Australia lost their crown as the kings of Test cricket Wednesday after another devastating burst of spin bowling from the veteran Rangana Herath helped Sri Lanka clinch an historic series whitewash.
Set a formidable target of 324 in their second innings of the third and final Test, Australia were all out for just 160 as Herath took seven for 64 at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo.
It was the first time that the hosts had ever recorded a clean sweep of a major cricketing nation since they gained Test status in 1981.
Openers David Warner and Shaun Marsh briefly raised Australian hopes of a consolation win as they made a brisk start to their chase before their partnership was broken just before lunch with the score on 77.
Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera's dismissal of Marsh was the cue for a dramatic collapse by the Australians who lost their last nine wickets for just 60 runs.
The destroyer-in-chief was Herath, who claimed six wickets in the first innings. Smith was his first victim and he then snared Adam Voges in the same over. Warner was Perera's second big strike.
His removal opened up the tail to Herath who wrapped up proceedings by taking the final wicket of Nathan Lyon, triggering wild celebrations in front of a raucous home crowd -- many of whom had been admitted for free.
SCORES IN BRIEF
SRI LANKA: First innings 355
AUSTRALIA: First innings 379
SRI LANKA: Second innings 347 for 8 decl (K Silva 115, Chandimal 43, De Silva 65 not out; Starc 2-72, Lyon 4-123, Holland 2-72)
AUSTRALIA: Second innings 160 all out (S Marsh 23, Warner 68, Starc 23; Herath 7-64, Perera 2-71)
Result: Sri Lanka won by 160 runs and clinched three-match series 3-0.
Player-of-the-match: Rangana Herath.
Player-of-the-series: Rangana Herath.
Comments