Australia defeated Sri Lanka in 2nd Test [Source: AP]
This morning, Australia swatted aside Sri Lanka by nine wickets in the second Test, emerging triumphant in the series by 2-0. After bowling the hosts out for 231 runs in their second innings, Australia chased the paltry target inside 18 overs, winning the match convincingly in this process.
Australia Enter WTC Final As Second Best Team
Despite their second consecutive victory in the series, Australia finished the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle as the second-best team. While South Africa became the first finalists with a PCT of 69.44, Australia confirmed their participation in the all-important clash at Lord's following an extraordinary series win over India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
However, although the tourists steamrolled Sri Lanka in two successive games, they couldn't surpass the Proteas' tally, finishing as the second-placed team in the standings.
Regarding India, the Rohit Sharma-led side finished third following their abysmal performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under. Their arch-rivals, Pakistan, were the worst team of the cycle, claiming ninth place with a PCT of 27.98.
New Zealand and Sri Lanka, two sides that looked threatening to India and Australia at one stage, occupied the fourth and sixth positions, respectively. Meanwhile, England finished the cycle as the fifth-placed team, with Bangladesh and West Indies reeling at seventh and eighth spots, respectively.
The much-awaited World Test Championship (WTC) final will be played between Australia and South Africa at Lord's Cricket Ground in June this year.