Twitter Reactions: Mitchell Starc ends with a 10-wicket match haul as Australia rout Sri Lanka by 366 runs

Australia have ended their summer with a huge 366-run win over Sri Lanka to clean sweep the series by 2-0. It was always going to be the one-way traffic after the visitors were set a daunting target of 516 runs and the Islanders were never going to get there even in their wildest dreams. There was no fight put up by Sri Lanka and it took only 45 overs for the hosts to clean them up.

The first casualty of the day proved to be Dimuth Karunaratne who was castled by Starc and the left-arm pacer didn’t stop here. He snaffled Dinesh Chandimal as well and then came Pat Cummins to send back the comfortable looking Lahiru Thirimanne. Niroshan Dickwella was sent to bat at four but once again he failed to convert a good start and not surprisingly even he became Starc’s bunny to see his timber disturbed.

Mendis and Chamika put up a mini-fight

At 97/6, soon after lunch, the end seemed nigh but Kusal Mendis and Chamika Karunaratne made the Aussies wait for close to 12 overs for the next wicket. This was the longest the hosts had to wait for a wicket in the innings. Both of them added 46 runs for the sixth wicket. However, even they knew that it was only delaying the inevitable. Mendis played some delightful strokes but that has always been the hallmark of Sri Lankan cricket these days.

They shine for an hour or so in Tests which is not at all enough to even compete. Marnus Labuschagne got better of Mendis on 45 and the game finished quickly. Pat Cummins got stuck into the lower-order to make it nine down and then came the famous Starc-special yorker to end the match.

Starc delivered a 146 kph toe-crusher to Vishwa Fernando and it goes without saying that it was too good for the number 11 which skittled Sri Lanka for 149. They lost the last four wickets for just six runs. Starc returned with the figures of 10/100 in the match as Australia ended the summer on a high after being on the receiving end for the most of it. It also turned out to be the first series win for the combo of Justin Langer and Tim Paine.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

My summary of my Aussie summer … Pat Cummins is a superstar and will win an Ashes on his own one day .. If England are not careful it could be in a few months time .. anyway time for a Beer .. #OnOn

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 4, 2019

Great working with you @Neroli_M_FOX always looking for positive stories to put out there… even Sri Lankan. 💗 your work @Neroli_M_FOX foxcricket @foxsportsaus @officialslc… https://t.co/ao1PA1y32C

— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) February 4, 2019

Tim Paine: "I want to thank Cricket Australia and sponsors, the last 12 months have been hard, thanks for sticking with us. I also want to thank our fans, we started this summer trying to win your respect back and we wanted to make you guys proud." #AUSvSL

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) February 4, 2019

Mitchell Starc on fire at Manuka Oval! #AUSvSL pic.twitter.com/1TycYawd0f

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 4, 2019

All over. 5 + 5 for Starc. #AUSvSL pic.twitter.com/vhLigssCeu

— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) February 4, 2019

Starc yorks Fernando to end the match with 10-100. Aust win by miles, regaining the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy, which will be presented by… neither of them! #AusvSL

— Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) February 4, 2019

The winning captain, @tdpaine36! #AUSvSL pic.twitter.com/C9e2skTcYA

— #7Cricket (@7Cricket) February 4, 2019

👏🏼 Congratulations to Australia & great to see @mstarc56 fire, 10 for the match 👍🏼 4×100’s outstanding! Enjoy the series win 🏏 https://t.co/2rBUQ3SFmn

— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) February 4, 2019

Australia beats Sri Lanka by 366 runs.

M Starc 10-100 for match.

Burns, Head, Patterson, Khawaja notched up hundreds.

Series win 2:0

— Peter Lalor (@plalor) February 4, 2019

There is nothing worst when you hear a keeper continually groans when the batsmen is hitting the ball. Particularly when the batsman hits it in the middle! 🎧

— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) February 4, 2019

I quite enjoy watching @mstarc56 bowl….#AUSvSL

— Jason Gillespie 🌱🌈 (@dizzy259) February 4, 2019

Justin Langer will be relieved man after team’s performance against SL #AUSvSL

— Sai Karthik T T (@karthiksai) February 4, 2019

Interesting to note that Lyon is getting ever so close to Lillee on the all time leading wicket takers list. Also, Starc has moved past MacGill and may well surpass Merv Hughes, Peter Siddle and the great Clarrie Grimmett in his next test #AUSvSL pic.twitter.com/mlzrVGmxD5

— Robert Hughes (@rhugh89) February 4, 2019

Ran into Pat Cummins and Joe Burns. Nice blokes #AUSvSL pic.twitter.com/YniQyigo15

— Scott Smith (@Snuff_Smith) February 4, 2019

@OfficialSLC lost badly and it was expected. But don't forget, even the better SL sides digested same previously in Australia. Now, the blame-game & chopping-and-changing may start. I think it would not be ideal to change the head coach. He's still needed for Sri Lanka. #AusvSL

— Faisal Caesar (@faisalyorker1) February 4, 2019

There have only ever been 2 Australians to take 10-fors against Sri Lanka in Australia: Pat Cummins and Mitch Starc #AUSvSL

— Roger (@roboh11) February 4, 2019

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