Sri Lanka v Australia, 2nd Test – 5 Memorable Moments

Sri Lanka started off the series in Pallekele by getting bundled out for 117 runs. But the story has changed so quickly as Australia has been completely humiliated being defeated in both the Test matches. Australia would have to thank rain for dragging the first Test into the fifth day, but here in the second Test, they could barely last half of the duration of the match.

The No.1 Test team in the world had been beaten by the No.7 team in the second Test match by 229 runs as the Sri Lankan spinners dictated terms and the Australian batsmen were left embarrassed. Angelo Mathews will now lift the first ever Warne-Muralitharan Trophy.

1. Maiden Test wicket for Jon Holland:

Jon Holland was brought into the squad after Steve O’Keefe got injured after the first Test match. He bowled with a lot of discipline but the Sri Lankan batsmen managed him well and he had to wait for a long while for his maiden wicket on a pitch which offered a lot to the spinners.

He was finally rewarded with a cheeky wicket when he trapped Dhananjaya de Silva leg-before-wicket in the 69th over of the match. The only thing that could have saved Silva was an inside edge which was not evident and Holland made his mark.

Also read – Sri Lanka v Australia, 2nd Test – Australia Player Ratings

2. Starc strike with the first ball of the match:

It was a dream start for Australia, who came into the match after a loss in the first Test. Mitchell Starc started off the proceedings for the visitors after Sri Lanka won the toss and electing to bat first. He bowled a juicy half-volley on the pads of the left-handed Dimuth Karunaratne, who clips it straight to Joe Burns at mid-wicket. Karunaratne failed to keep the ball down and had to make the long walk back to the pavilion.

With that, Mitchell Starc became the first Australian since Glenn McGrath and the fourth overall to take a wicket on the first ball of a Test match. Coincidently, McGrath also achieved the feat against Sri Lanka in Galle. Starc finished the game with a 10-wicket haul though his team couldn’t win the game.

3. Sandakan got to bowl just 2 balls:

Chinaman bowler Lakshan Sandakan, who was impressive in the first Test match, was introduced into the attack in the 33rd over of the Australian inning. By the time, Australia were 9 wickets down with Mitchell Marsh and Jon Holland at the crease.

On the urge of making quick runs, Marsh swung across the line of the ball but only managed to end it in the hands of Karunaratne at straightish long-off. He dived low to his right to complete a well-judged catch to end the Australian innings and give Sandakan his only wicket from 2 balls in the inning.

How did Twitter react to the game? – Twitter Reactions: Sri Lanka hand Australia series drubbing at Galle

4. Vishwa Fernando doesn’t get to ball in the second innings:

Vishwa Fernando the only pacer in the Sri Lankan squad didn’t get to bowl even a single over in the second inning, whereas the part-time spinner Dhananjaya de Silva bowled 2 overs.

It had a lot to do with the kind of surface and assistance on offer. He played his part in whatever overs he got to bowl and picked up a wicket with his second ball in the first innings to dismiss Joe Burns. Despite the wicket, he bowled just 2 overs in the first innings as well.

5. Series win for Sri Lanka:

With this win, Sri Lanka not just won the match, but also sealed the 3-match Test series 2-0. Sri Lanka secured the Warne-Muralitharan trophy for the first time in its existence as they spin Australia out of the series within 3 days. This victory is also their 250th win in Test cricket history.

How did the match pan out? – SL v AUS, 2nd Test Review: Hosts clinch historic victory and series