Galle, Sri Lanka, February 9 (ANI): An outstanding performance by the Australian spinners Matthew Kuhnemann and Nathan Lyon paired well with impressive centuries from Steve Smith and Alex Carey as the visitors comfortably won the second Test at Galle on Sunday with nine wickets in hand.
After 14 years, Australia has finally achieved a series victory in Sri Lanka and has successfully clean swept a series in Asia for the first time since 2006.
Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bat first. Half-centuries from Kusal Mendis, who scored 85 runs in 139 balls, with 10 fours and a six, and Dinesh Chandimal, who scored 74 runs in 163 balls, scoring six fours and a six, led Sri Lanka to a total of 257 in 97.4 overs. Although Sri Lanka lost their wickets consistently, a 65-run seventh wicket partnership between Kusal and Ramesh Mendis, who scored 28 runs in 94 balls, with two fours, pushed their total past the 200-run mark.
Starc (27 wickets), Kuhnemann (63 wickets), and Lyon (96 wickets) were the top wicket-takers for Australia.
In their initial innings, Australia lost Travis Head (21), Marnus Labuschagne (4), and Usman Khawaja (36) early, leaving the team struggling at 91 for three.
However, centuries from Alex Carey (156 in 188 balls, with 15 fours and two sixes) and Steve Smith (131 in 254 balls, with 10 fours and a six) propelled Australia past the 300-run mark as they put up 259 runs for the fourth wicket. A valuable knock of 31 by Beau Webster pushed the Aussies to 414 runs, giving them a lead of 157 runs.
Prabath Jayasuriya secured a five-wicket haul, while Nishan Peiris, who took 3/94, and Ramesh, who claimed 2/81, performed successfully with the ball.
In their second turn at bat, Sri Lanka experienced early setbacks once again, falling to 81/4. Fifty-over accomplishments from Angelo Mathews (76 runs in 149 balls, with four boundaries and one six) and Kusal Mendis (50 runs in 54 balls, with five fours and a six) propelled the Lankan Lions to a total of 231 runs, providing them with a 74-run advantage.
Lyon (4/84) and Kuhnemann (4/63) took the most wickets for Australia once again.
Australia received 75 more runs to conquer, and they successfully achieved this target with Usman Khawaja (27*) and Marnus Labuschagne (26*) remaining unbeaten, as Travis Head (20) was dismissed by Jayasuriya.
Carey received the 'Player of the Match' award for his score of 156 while Smith was awarded the 'Player of the Series' for his two centuries.