SL vs AUS | 1st Test | Australia secure a resounding victory by 10 wickets

The Australian team continued their good run in the longest format and started the Sri Lanka Test series with a 10-wicket victory on the third day at Galle. 

In the morning session of Day 3, Sri Lanka took only 11 balls to take the last two wickets of the visitors and dismissed them for 321. After that, however, the Aussies took a lead of 109. Cameron Green was the top contributor with 77 runs, while Usman Khawaja scored 71. Ramesh Mendis was the pick of the bowlers with four scalps for the home team. 

In reply, Pathum Nissanka (14) and Dimuth Karunaratne (23) provided a steady start to the Sri Lanka team. However, their wickets opened the floodgates for the Pat Cummins-led side. With Angelo Mathews testing COVID positive, none of the batters could display resistance. 

In a matter of 23 overs, Sri Lanka was all-out for a total of 113. Nathan Lyon scalped four wickets, while Travis Head returned with his best-ever first-class figures of 4/10. 

With a total of nine wickets in this fixture, Lyon joined the elite list of Top-1o wicket-takers in the Test format, with 436 scalps. 

With only five needed, David Warner blasted a four and a six in the first over of the innings and helped Australia to go 1-0 up in the 2-match red-ball series. 

Earlier, Sri Lanka had posted 212 with the knocks of Niroshan Dickwella (58) and Angelo Mathews (39). Lyon picked up five wickets, while Mitchell Swepson had three scalps. 

The Australian team are at the top-most position in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23 points table with a 77.78 winning percentage. On the other hand, Sri Lanka are still in the sixth position with a 47.62 win percentage. 

Brief Scores:

Sri Lanka- 212/10 (1st innings)

Niroshan Dickwella 58, Angelo Mathews 39

Nathan Lyon 5/90

Australia- 321/10 (1st innings)

Cameron Green 77, Usman Khawaja 71

Ramesh Mendis 4/112

Sri Lanka- 113/10 (2nd innings)

Dimuth Karunaratne 23, Pathum Nissanka 14

Head 4/10, Lyon 4/31

Australia- 10/ 0 (2nd innings)

David Warner 10*

Result: Australia won by ten wickets.