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SL vs AUS 2nd Test Day 4 Highlights: Khawaja, Labuschagne Draw Up Winning Runs As Australia Sweep 2-0

Aakash Saini

Usman Khawaja in action on Day 4 [Source: AP Photos]Usman Khawaja in action on Day 4 [Source: AP Photos]

Australia completed a nine-wicket demolition job over Sri Lanka on Day 4 of the series-deciding second Test match at the Galle International Stadium. Travelling without the services of its regular captain, the outcome handed Steve Smith’s drawcards a 2-0 series win to sign off their pre-WTC final campaign on an emphatic note.

Here’s the timeline of how SL vs AUS panned out in Galle:

SL vs AUS Highlights: Kusal Mendis Fails To Sustain Overnight Momentum

Sri Lankan number six and wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis failed to sustain his overnight momentum while batting with tailender Lahiru Kumara on Day 4. Resuming his innings at 48* from 50 balls, Mendis brought up a 52-ball half-century to bring up the 21st fifty of his Test career and his second of the match.

However, just a couple of deliveries after reaching the landmark figure, the 30-year-old top edged one towards Steve Smith at short fine to become Nathan Lyon’s fourth victim of the innings.

Sri Lanka’s final wicket pair hung around for a couple of overs to add 14 runs to their team’s measly effort. With Lahiru Kumara reaching nine to take Sri Lanka to 231 in 68 overs, the number 10 batter failed to read a tossed-up delivery from Beau Webster (2-6).

For Australia, lead spinners Matthew Kuhnemann (4-63) and Nathan Lyon (4-84) picked up four wickets each to combine eight of the 10 Sri Lankan batters in the innings.

SL vs AUS Highlights: Travis Head Gets Off To Another Flier

Australia’s firebrand opener Travis Head got off to another flier by clattering three boundaries earlier in the innings. Chasing just 75 for a win, Head’s ‘hot-headed’ approach helped Australia shrug off over half of those runs within just the first seven overs as he started off with three confident boundaries earlier in the pursuit.

However, the blistering opener had his raging effort cut short by Sri Lankan spinner Prabath Jayasuriya (1-20) at 38-1 as he failed to take his side past the finish line.

SL vs AUS Highlights: Usman Khawaja, Labuschagne Sign Off With Elegance

Nonetheless, fellow Australian opener Usman Khawaja remained steadfast in his approach to see his team through. Struggling number three batter Marnus Labuschagne also regained his lost touch with the bat to some extent by remaining unbeaten at 26* from 39 balls with four elegant boundaries. Labuschagne also recorded the winning runs in the 18th over of the innings, and well inside the opening session of Day 4 as Australia completed a dominant 2-0 series sweep over the hosts.

Khawaja also cracked 27* off 44 balls with three boundaries from his end to ensure smooth sailing for the Australian team following Travis Head’s untimely dismissal.