Australia emphatically claimed victory against Sri Lanka, winning the first Test by an innings and 242 runs, marking one of their most significant triumphs on the subcontinent.
At the Galle International Stadium, Australia declared their first innings at 654, with Usman Khawaja leading the charge with a stellar 232 runs, flanked by Steve Smith with 141 and debutant Josh Inglis scoring 102.
Responding to Australia’s gigantic total, Sri Lanka struggled immensely, all out for just 165 and then 247 on day four, resulting in their heaviest Test loss to date, surpassing the previous record set against India.
The rain previously interrupted day three, delaying Sri Lanka’s response, which spiraled downhill with frequent dismissals. On the morning of day four, Sri Lanka lost their top-order batsmen early, leaving them only three wickets down before lunch, still trailing by 414 runs.
Angelo Mathews was one of the few bright spots for Sri Lanka; he remained resilient at the crease with 34 runs, but was unable to turn the tide against Australia’s potent bowling attack.
After Australia enforced the follow-on, they quickly dismantled Sri Lanka’s batting lineup again on day four. Spinner Matthew Kuhnemann took center stage, finishing with remarkable figures of 9-149 over the two innings, including 5-63 and 4-86.
Veteran Nathan Lyon also contributed significantly, taking 7 wickets overall, as he claimed four wickets for 78 runs in the second innings alone. The duo capitalized on the deteriorated pitch conditions to wreak havoc on the Sri Lankan batting order.
Even notable partnerships, such as Dinesh Chandimal’s fight with 72 runs and Jeffrey Vandersay’s aggressive 53, could not save the Sri Lankan team from succumbing to Australia’s pressure.
Australia’s victory on Saturday has seen them surpass their 2002 innings-and-198-run win over Pakistan, making it their largest win margin in Asia. The win also stands fourth overall for Australia behind historic victories against South Africa and England.
Head coach Andrew McDonald praised his team’s comprehensive performance, emphasizing the importance of their strong batting lineup leading to such success. With this victory under their belt, Australia has rekindled its aspirations for the series.
The second Test will kick off on February 6, and Sri Lanka will need considerable adjustments and motivation to bounce back from this humbling loss at home.