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AUS vs SL 1st Test Day 4 Highlights: Kuhnemann-Lyon's Spin Wizardry Humiliates Sri Lanka As Visitors Seal Victory

Soumyajit Dutta

Australia defeats Sri Lanka by a massive margin in Galle Test [Source: @7Cricket/X.com]Australia defeats Sri Lanka by a massive margin in Galle Test [Source: @7Cricket/X.com]

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Australia delivered a commanding performance in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle, securing a resounding 242-run victory. The visitors' spin duo, Matthew Kuhnemann and Nathan Lyon, dismantled the Sri Lankan batting lineup across both innings, forcing a follow-on after Kuhnemann’s early breakthroughs. Despite brief resistance, Sri Lanka failed to counter Australia’s relentless spin attack as Lyon and Kuhnemann wrapped up the innings swiftly, sealing a dominant win.

Here's how things panned out at Galle on Day 4 of the 1st Test:

AUS vs SL 1st Test Highlights: Matthew Kuhnemann Magic Forces Sri Lanka For Follow-On

Resuming Day 4 at 136/5, Sri Lanka found themselves sink deep into the Australian trap. Earlier in the day, the Aussies didn't struggle much to wrap up the Lankan batters. Kusal Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya and Dinesh Chandimal departed in quick succession with Matthew Kuhnemann's magic. 

The spin track at Galle did well for the Aussie spinners as Nathan Lyon joined hands in the destruction too. Nathan Lyon cleaned up Nishan Peiris as Jeffrey Vandersay also departed in the 53rd over to Matthew Kuhnemann which prompted a follow-on innings for the Lankans. 

AUS vs SL 1st Test Highlights: Sri Lanka Puts Up Meek Resistance With The Bat

Having a behemoth of a 489-run chase ahead of them, the Sri Lankans started loose. They lost Oshada Fernando and Dimuth Karunaratne within 4 overs to leave Sri Lanka reeling at 6-2. However, the middle-order saw some resistance with the bat as Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Matthews pair up for a 69-run stand before the former fell to Nathan Lyon. 

Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis also stitched up a few runs to offer some resistance however, they fell short in front of a mammoth target. 

AUS vs SL 1st Test Highlights: Lyon-Kuhnemann Continue Havoc To Bag 242-Runs Win

Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann continued their havoc on the Sri Lankan batters again as the duo ripped through the middle order triggering a collapse after Dhananjaya de Silva's wicket in the 40th over.

Jeffrey Vandersay pulled up a half-ton trying to put in every last effort with the bat alongside the 10th batter Asitha Fernando, however, their resistance did not continue for long as Kuhnemann scalped Vandersay and Australia wrapped up a dominant win by 242 runs and an innings at Galle. 

Hence, with the win, Australia will head on to the 2nd Test in the two-match series with a 1-0 lead. The 2nd Test will also be held at Galle and is scheduled for February 6.