Australia secured a dominant 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, inflicting the heaviest defeat in Sri Lanka's Test cricket history. The match ended before tea on day four, with rookie spinner Matthew Kuhnemann leading the Australian charge with career-best figures of 9-149.
Sri Lanka suffered its heaviest defeat in Test cricket history on Saturday, as Australia dominated the match, securing a 1-0 lead in the two-match series with a crushing innings and 242-run victory. The decisive outcome was achieved before tea on day four, with rookie left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann 's exceptional performance delivering career-best figures of 9-149 across both innings.
Kuhnemann, who underwent surgery just two weeks prior for a broken right thumb sustained during the Big Bash League, battled through the match with pain, requiring constant medical attention. He was ably supported by the reliable Nathan Lyon, who spun a web around the Sri Lankan batsmen, claiming seven match wickets.Sri Lanka's previous heaviest defeat came in Nagpur in 2017, when India triumphed by an innings and 239 runs. Sri Lanka resumed their innings on 136 for five overnight but collapsed for 165, losing their last five wickets for a mere nine runs. Facing a daunting target of 489, they lost three wickets before lunch and then crumbled in the second session – a humiliating finish for a team once known for its prowess on turning tracks. Dinesh Chandimal valiantly fought in the first innings, top-scoring with 72, and alongside Angelo Mathews, forged one of only two 50-plus partnerships in the second innings. However, he was dismissed for 31 on the last ball before lunch, caught by Travis Head off Lyon's bowling. Oshada Fernando, returning to the side, failed to make a significant impact, falling for six to a sharp inswinger from Mitchell Starc that trapped him plumb in front. Former captain Dimuth Karunaratne continued his dismal run with the bat, falling for nought after a careless dismissal by Todd Murphy. Rain disrupted play on day three, forcing an early lunch and washing out the final two sessions. Standing-in skipper Steve Smith achieved a remarkable milestone, becoming only the fourth Australian to surpass 10,000 runs in Test cricket on the first ball he faced. Galle will host the second and final Test next week, followed by a two-match ODI series in Colombo
Australia Sri Lanka Test Cricket Matthew Kuhnemann Nathan Lyon Steve Smith Cricket Match Results
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