Australia clinched a nine-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second Test at Galle on Sunday, completing a 2-0 series sweep. The Australians, led by Steve Smith, easily reached their modest victory target of 75, losing only Travis Head before lunch on day four.
Earlier, Sri Lanka resumed their innings at 211-8, but could only add 20 more runs, finishing at 231. Kusal Mendis and Lahiru Kumara were dismissed for 50 and nine, respectively, wrapping up the host’s innings within 26 minutes of the day’s start.
Australian spinners Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann were pivotal, each taking four wickets. They exploited a pitch that heavily favoured spinners, with Kuhnemann, in only his fifth Test appearance, outperforming Lyon to become the series’ top wicket-taker with 16 dismissals. Remarkably, Kuhnemann delivered this performance despite a recent thumb injury.
Sri Lanka’s innings relied heavily on Mendis, who added another half-century after a valiant 85 not out in the first innings. However, his efforts to anchor the innings ended abruptly when he was caught by Steve Smith off Lyon, giving Smith his 200th Test catch, an achievement shared by only four other players in Test history.
This victory follows Australia’s dominant performance in the first Test, where they handed Sri Lanka their worst defeat in the format—an innings and 242 runs. This match again highlighted Australia’s superior strategy and execution, underscoring their dominance in the series and their effective use of the conditions in Galle.
