Sri Lanka spinner Dunith Wellalage took four wickets to give Australia their lowest ever total in Asia with a 174-run loss in Friday's second and final ODI.

Chasing a target of 282 in Colombo, a much-changed Australia testing their line-up for next week's Champions Trophy were bundled out for a meager 107.

The spectacular collapse saw them lose their last seven wickets for just 28 runs.

Sri Lanka finishes the ODI series in style with a MASSIVE 174-run victory over Australia!

🇱🇰 We take the series 2-0! 🏆

This is Sri Lanka's BIGGEST ODI win against Australia EVER! 🔥 #SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/2hNy6nJw72

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) February 14, 2025

"Not the best result we wanted. We used lot of players and everyone got a game," Australia skipper Steve Smith said.

"Credit to Sri Lanka. They deserved the series win. We struggled a bit in Colombo... Their bowlers were superb."

Asitha Fernando set the tone with a fiery opening spell of 3-23 in four overs before the spinners tightened the screws.

Wellalage triggered the collapse, bamboozling Josh Inglis with a skiddy arm ball that crashed into the stumps. In his next over, he delivered another peach, rattling the dangerous Glenn Maxwell's timber to finish 4-35.

🔥 WHAT. A. SPELL! 🔥 Dunith Wellalage rips through the Aussie batting line-up, taking a crucial 4/35! #SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/0IldBQyQrx

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) February 14, 2025

Wanindu Hasaranga joined the party from the other end to take three more including Smith, who was trapped plumb in front.

This emphatic victory sealed a 2-0 series win for Sri Lanka against the defending world champions and propelled them to fifth in the ODI rankings.

It also told the cricketing world that Sri Lanka's absence from the upcoming Champions Trophy, after finishing ninth in the 2023 World Cup, will be felt.

"Not often you beat Australia," Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka said.

"Today was our day and the spinners did a superb job," he added. "We are disappointed that we are not in the Champions Trophy... the important thing is that we don't get into a similar situation again."

Sri Lanka's batting had been under the microscope in recent weeks, but the top order silenced critics with a commanding display.

Kusal Mendis was the star of the show, crafting a superb 101 –- his fifth ton in ODIs and first against Australia.

He found ample support from half-centuries by Nishan Madushka (51) and Asalanka.

Fresh from a match-winning hundred in the opener, Asalanka bludgeoned an unbeaten 78 off just 66 balls, peppering the boundary with six fours and three towering sixes.

Charith Asalanka is on 🔥! Another magnificent innings, finishing unbeaten on 78. What incredible form he's in! 🤩 #SLvAUS #SriLankaCricket pic.twitter.com/dyUTCPzUWa

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) February 14, 2025

The foundation was laid by a 98-run partnership between Kusal and Madushka for the second wicket, stabilising the innings after an early loss.

Kusal then built on the momentum, stitching a 94-run stand with Asalanka for the fourth wicket.

Australia made five changes as they fine-tune their line-up ahead of next week's Champions Trophy in Pakistan and Dubai.

Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Travis Head, Josh Inglis and Ben Dwarshuis all came in.

Out went Alex Carey, Marnus Labuschagne, Cooper Connolly, Spencer Johnson and Nathan Ellis.

Sri Lanka pulled off a stunning comeback against world champions Australia to clinch a 49-run victory in the first one-day international on Wednesday after a century by captain Charith Asalanka.

Defending a modest target of 215, Sri Lanka bowled out the visitors for 165 inside 34 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Asalanka smashed a career-best 127 before chipping in with the crucial wicket of Alex Carey, while Maheesh Theekshana took 4-40 to help scuttle Australia's chase.

🦁 ROAR, SRI LANKA! 🇱🇰

What a comeback! Sri Lanka defends 214 in style, bowling out Australia for just 165! A dominant display of skill, passion, and resilience. 💪🏏 #SLvAUS #SriLankaCricket #LionsRoar pic.twitter.com/AsWk3Ax2Gr

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) February 12, 2025

Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka found themselves in dire straits at 133-8 in the 33rd over, with Australia's four-pronged pace attack running riot.

Asalanka's strike rate was just shy of a run-a-ball and included 14 fours and five sixes.

His ninth-wicket stand with Eshan Malinga was a stadium record of 79, even though the tailender made just a solitary run from 26 balls.

Asalanka refused to throw in the towel and was last man out when he was deceived by a cleverly disguised slower delivery from Sean Abbott (3-61).

The packed crowd rose to their feet to see him back to the pavilion while opposite number Steve Smith and wicketkeeper Alex Carey acknowledged his knock with a pat on the back.

Innings Break! Sri Lanka posts 214 on the board, with a brilliant 127-run masterclass from Captain Charith Asalanka! #SLvsAUS #SriLankaCricket pic.twitter.com/E9uj2t1cjM

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) February 12, 2025

Australia's chase never really got going, with Asitha Fernando dismissing both openers cheaply before Sri Lanka's spinners tightened the noose.

Dunith Wellalage struck with his very first ball to clean up Smith, who had tormented Sri Lanka with back-to-back centuries in the test series.

Smith misjudged a slog sweep and was out before he had settled in, a huge breakthrough that sent the crowd into raptures.

White-ball stalwarts Glenn Maxwell and Travis Head were rested to give other squad members match practice ahead of the Champions Trophy beginning February 19 in Pakistan and Dubai.

Australia's bid to win that tournament has been dealt a major setback with their formidable pace attack of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood all ruled out.

Sri Lanka did not qualify for the Champions Trophy.

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SRI LANKA: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (capt), Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando.

AUSTRALIA: Matthew Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cooper Connolly, Steve Smith (capt), Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson.

Australia spin bowler Matt Kuhnemann has been reported for a suspected illegal bowling action after his dominant performance in the test series against Sri Lanka.

The left-arm spinner was the most prolific bowler in Australia's 2-0 whitewash in Galle, taking 16 wickets at an average of 17.18.

Kuhnemann will now need to have his action tested to prove its legality. A bowler is allowed 15 degrees of extension in their elbow before a delivery is considered illegal.

Cricket Australia (CA) said it was notified of the match officials' report after the second test in Galle and would support Kuhnemann through the testing process.

"Cricket Australia will liaise closely with the ICC (International Cricket Council) and independent experts in line with ICC regulations," CA said in a statement on Wednesday.

The 28-year-old's action has never previously been questioned in 124 professional matches dating back to 2017, including five tests and four one-day internationals.

Sri Lanka named a 16-member squad on Monday, led by Charith Asalanka for the two-match ODI series against the touring Australian team.

The first match will be on Wednesday and the second on Friday. Both matches are day games and will be played in Colombo at the Premadasa stadium.

Australia arrived in Sri Lanka last month and played two tests and won both comprehensively.

Australia celebrated a crushing victory in the first test, with the innings and 242-run humiliation Sri Lanka's worst defeat in test history.

Australia won the second test against Sri Lanka by nine wickets in Galle on Sunday to sweep the series 2-0.

Sri Lanka squad:

Charith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Nishan Madushka, Nuwanidu Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Mohamed Shiraz and Eshan Malinga.

Sri Lanka's Dimuth Karunaratne said Sunday it had been "a very emotional day" after his 100th and final test ended with a defeat to Australia.

The veteran opening batsman Karunaratne was given the honour of bowling the final few balls as Australia wrapped up a nine-wicket win and series sweep before lunch on the fourth day in Galle.

"It has been a long career – after my family and friends, I was spending most time with my teammates," he said.

"I am leaving them, but this team will be always in my heart."

The 36-year-old former skipper was a rock at the top of the Sri Lankan order for more than a decade, but had gone 25 innings without a century.

He had announced before the second test in Galle that it would be his farewell to the five-day game.

"When I started my cricket, I just wanted to play one test match," he said.

"To go on to play 100 tests was amazing. Playing cricket for so long has been a privilege".

Renowned for his cool head and affable nature, Karunaratne also proved a shrewd leader.

Taking over the captaincy at a turbulent time in 2019, he led Sri Lanka to a historic series win in South Africa.

To this day, Sri Lanka remain the only Asian team to conquer the Proteas in their own backyard.

Karunaratne relinquished the captaincy in 2023, saying it was time for younger cricketers to lead.

He said that after a playing career with "lots of happy memories" he now wanted to spend time with his family, and move into coaching.

"I intend to take up coaching," he said Sunday. "I want to get qualified ... I will start coaching either here or overseas.

Australia captain Steve Smith attributed their 2-0 series victory against Sri Lanka to the perfect execution of their batting plans against the turning ball in Galle.

A test series in Sri Lanka is often a trial by spin for any touring side but Australia came prepared with their batters using every trick in the book to unsettle Sri Lanka's formidable spin attack.

Australia needed to bat only once in the opening test when they amassed 654-6 declared after Usman Khawaja, Smith and Josh Inglis smashed hundreds.

In the second test, also in Galle, Smith and Alex Carey struck centuries as Australia swept the series after prevailing in a little over three days.

"The way we're playing the spinners at the moment, really good spinners, it's great to see," an elated Smith said after being adjudged player of the series.

"We had a really good training camp in Dubai for a week before coming here, where guys were just able to work on their methods.

"All of our batters bat really differently. Usman, Carey and Inglis use the sweep a lot. Myself and Marnus (Labuschagne) like to get down the wicket. Travis (Head) uses his crease really well."

"I think everyone has their own individual plans and sticks to it for long periods of time, and I think that's why we've been successful in this series."

Australia's spin bowlers also relished the turning track in Galle with Matthew Kuhnemann and Nathan Lyon claiming 30 of the 40 Sri Lankan wickets between themselves.

Sri Lanka managed 165 and 247 in the opening test and 257 and 231 in the second.

Home captain Dhananjaya de Silva conceded they could not stop Australia from grabbing early control in both the tests.

"I am always talking about the first innings," the allrounder said.

"Be it batting or bowling. We haven't done well. We had the best time to bat but 260 was not enough to win a test match."

He also felt the Sri Lankan spinners lacked the consistency of their Australian counterparts.

"The consistency was not there, I spoke to the coaches.

"They put the ball every time in the same place, with the same trajectory. It was very hard to score for the batsmen."

Australia wrapped up a dominant 2-0 sweep of the test series against Sri Lanka at Galle on Sunday, romping to a nine-wicket victory before lunch on day four.

Set a modest target of 75 to win, Australia lost only Travis Head as they stormed to a commanding victory in a ruthless display from the world's top-ranked test side.

Head and Usman Khawaja put on 38 for the first wicket, looking at ease on a turning wicket.

Prabath Jayasuriya removed Head, caught behind but Marnus Labuschagne with 26 and Khawaja, 27, knocked off the runs.

With three runs required for the win, Dimuth Karunaratne, playing his 100th and final test match, was called up to bowl.

Labuschagne flicked his third delivery to midwicket to level the scores, and with another flick on the next ball, sealed the win 16 minutes before lunch.

'IT'S BEEN A PRIVILEGE'

"When I started my cricket, I just wanted to play one test match," said Karunaratne. "To go on to play 100 tests was amazing. Playing cricket for so long has been a privilege".

Australia had inflicted an innings and 242-run defeat on Sri Lanka in the first test, the host's worst ever defeat.

The second test victory triggered jubilant celebrations among the Australian fans, who far outnumbered the home contingent in the stands.

Many were perched on top of the centuries-old Galle Fort. One banner declared "South Africa, you're next!" in reference to the World Test Championship final at Lord's in June.

Australia had been aware of the dangers of Galle's turning pitches and had prepared with a week-long training camp in Dubai on similar tracks.

The Australian batting unit delivered a masterclass, with a double hundred and four centuries in the two matches.

No Sri Lanka batsman managed a century, with Kusal Mendis's unbeaten 85 the highest individual score.

Steve Smith's men began Sunday's fourth day by bundling Sri Lanka out for 231 from 211-8 overnight.

Sri Lanka's resistance lasted just 26 minutes, losing Kusal Mendis for 50 and Lahiru Kumara for nine.

Matthew Kuhnemann and Nathan Lyon shared the spoils with four wickets apiece in the innings.

But left-arm spinner Kuhnemann, playing just his fifth test, upstaged the seasoned Lyon in the series to finish as the leading wicket-taker with 16.

Lyon did go past 550 test wickets in the match, becoming only the third Australian after Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath to reach the milestone.

Sri Lanka's fragile batting meant their fortunes rested heavily on Kusal Mendis, who had already played a fine hand in the first innings with an unbeaten 85.

In the second innings, he carried on the fight, bringing up his half-century with a crisp punch through covers off Lyon.

Off the next ball, Mendis was done in by extra bounce, top-edging an attempted flick straight into the hands of Steve Smith for his 200th test catch.

The Australian skipper became only the fifth player in test history to complete 200 catches –- alongside Rahul Dravid, Joe Root, Mahela Jayawardene and Jacques Kallis.

Winning skipper Smith praised his side. "The way the guys have played is exceptional," he said.

---

AUSTRALIA: Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Cooper Connolly, Joshua Inglis, MarLabuschagne, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Steven Smith (c), Travis Head, Usman Khawaja

PAKISTAN: Angelo Mathews, Balapuwaduge Mendis (wk), Chandradasa Kumara, Dhananjaya De Silva (c), Frank Karunaratne, Kamindu Mendis, Kurukulasooriya Peiris, Lokuge Chandimal, Neketh Jayasuriya, Pathum Nissanka, Ramesh Mendis

Australia are two wickets away from ending Sri Lanka's second innings in the second tSaturday, with the hosts reeling at 211-8 at stumps on day three in Galle.

With Sri Lanka leading by only 54 runs, Steve Smith's side will be eager to mop up the tail early Sunday and seal a 2-0 sweep.

Angelo Mathews was the linchpin of Sri Lanka's innings, holding things together as wickets tumbled at the other end.

But just 15 minutes before the close of play, he swept Nathan Lyon straight to square leg, where Beau Webster pocketed a sharp chance.

The 37-year-old warhorse had dug deep for a fighting half-century, but Sri Lanka needed a marathon knock, not his well-compiled 76.

Mathews finds himself in the crosshairs, with just one fifty in his last eight innings.

Ahead of this test, the selectors had made it clear -– unless he starts churning out big runs, his spot in the next cycle of the World Test Championship was not fixed.

His sixth-wicket partnership with Kusal Mendis worth 70 runs was a lifeline for Sri Lanka, preventing an innings implosion and ensuring the game stretched into a fourth day.

Prabath Jayasuriya said Sri Lanka were "not out of it yet".

"Kusal Mendis is still out there and he has been batting well – and if he can give us a decent lead, then we can put pressure on them," he said.

"It's not going to be easy batting in the fourth innings."

'KNOCK THEM OVER'

There was an unusual moment in the afternoon session when a delivery from Lyon drifted down the leg-side.

It clipped the helmet placed behind the wicketkeeper for a close-in fielder, and triggered an automatic five-run penalty for Sri Lanka, a rare bonus in a match where runs were hard to come by.

With the picturesque Galle Fort providing a natural grandstand, hundreds of Australian supporters perched themselves atop the historic ramparts to enjoy a commanding performance from their side.

The fans celebrated as offspinner Lyon became only the third Australian to claim 550 test wickets, joining the exalted company of Shane Warne (708) and Glenn McGrath (563).

Lyon was well-supported by Matthew Kuhnemann, sharing seven wickets between them.

Earlier, Alex Carey turned entertainer-in-chief with a swashbuckling 156 -– his career-best knock, peppered with 15 boundaries and two towering sixes.

While Smith (131) also took another big hundred –- his second of the series -– it was Carey who made batting look easy.

With Sri Lanka on the ropes and Australia poised for the knockout punch, day four promises high drama.

Kuhnemann said Australia still faced a "not easy" chase.

"Whatever they put up it will be tough," he said.

"It is going to turn a lot on day four, and we are looking forward to knock them over, score whatever the runs required – and wrap up the series."

The visitors have already put the Warne-Murali Trophy beyond Sri Lanka's reach, having taken an unassailable 1-0 lead with a crushing victory in the first test.

That innings and 242-run humiliation stands as Sri Lanka's worst defeat in test history.

---

AUSTRALIA: Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Cooper Connolly, Joshua Inglis, MarLabuschagne, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Steven Smith (c), Travis Head, Usman Khawaja

PAKISTAN: Angelo Mathews, Balapuwaduge Mendis (wk), Chandradasa Kumara, Dhananjaya De Silva (c), Frank Karunaratne, Kamindu Mendis, Kurukulasooriya Peiris, Lokuge Chandimal, Neketh Jayasuriya, Pathum Nissanka, Ramesh Mendis

Commanding centuries from Steve Smith and Alex Carey gave Australia a dominating lead at stumps on day two of the second test against Sri Lanka in Galle on Friday.

Australia, leading by 73 runs at 330-3, were poised to post a mammoth first-innings total, with Smith and Carey stitching together an unbroken 259-run stand for the fourth wicket.

An absolute masterclass in batting against spin.

Full wrap from day two of the second #SLvAUS Test: https://t.co/JEVmOAdRTz pic.twitter.com/6GnxP0RbmH

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 7, 2025

Sri Lanka's bowlers showed some early flair but the spinners struggled to get the same fizz off the surface once the ball lost its bite, and Smith exploited the gaps.

The Australian skipper made a scratchy start and his innings could have been cut short on 24, when he was judged lbw to Nishan Peiris.

However, a timely review saved him and Smith never looked back.

Smith tightened his grip on the contest with elegant cover drives and precise pull shots.

He took a few calculated risks and, with Sri Lanka lacking a substantial total to defend, the field was soon spread out to cut off boundaries rather than hunt for wickets.

That didn't deter the Australian captain, who pierced the gaps with ease in dispatching nine fours and a six.

He brought up his 36th test hundred in style, pulling part-timer Kamindu Mendis to the mid-wicket boundary.

It's Steve Smith Test century number 36!

His fourth in the last five Tests too 🔥#SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/vxfS1ShMFK

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) February 7, 2025

'RARING TO GO'

Carey was promoted to No 5 in place of Josh Inglis, who was off the field nursing a sore back, and grabbed his chance, racing to his half-century in 68 deliveries.

His hundred came with a well-timed sweep to the boundary, taking just 118 balls to reach the milestone, and finished with a career-best 139 off 156 balls that included 13 fours and two sixes.

ALEX CAREY TEST CENTURY 💯

The second of his career and his first away from home, in a superb innings!#SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/4g1RaDodZk

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) February 7, 2025

Carey said his partnership with Smith was a "great experience".

"We are in a commanding position and we want to score as many as possible in the first innings, as batting can get tricky later," Carey said.

Sri Lanka were earlier bowled out for 257, having resumed on their overnight score of 229-9.

Kusal Mendis played a lone hand with a spectacular 85 not out but he ran out of partners as the Australian bowlers wrapped up the innings after some late resistance.

Mendis praised the Australians.

"Australia were superb," he said. "They bowled well and they took on our spinners well."

Sri Lanka must look to "create a few chances" on Saturday, he said.

"We need to keep their first innings total to as little as possible," he said.

"The bowlers will be fresh tomorrow and they will be raring to go. We want to get back into the game."

The visitors have already put the Warne-Murali Trophy beyond Sri Lanka's reach, having taken an unassailable 1-0 lead with a crushing victory in the first test.

The innings and 242-run humiliation stands as Sri Lanka's worst defeat in test history.

---

AUSTRALIA: Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Cooper Connolly, Joshua Inglis, MarLabuschagne, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Steven Smith (c), Travis Head, Usman Khawaja

PAKISTAN: Angelo Mathews, Balapuwaduge Mendis (wk), Chandradasa Kumara, Dhananjaya De Silva (c), Frank Karunaratne, Kamindu Mendis, Kurukulasooriya Peiris, Lokuge Chandimal, Neketh Jayasuriya, Pathum Nissanka, Ramesh Mendis

Australia were firmly in the driving seat despite a spirited Sri Lankan fightback to reach 229-9 at stumps on day one of the second test in Galle on Thursday.

Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon took three wickets apiece.

Sri Lanka, who won the toss and opted to bat, had looked to be in control at 93-1 – putting behind them the loss of the first test by an innings and 242 runs last week.

But Dimuth Karunaratne – in his 100th and final test – was slow to bring his bat down, dragging a ball from Lyon on to his stumps for 36 and handing Australia a crucial breakthrough.

The hosts soon nosedived to 127-5 during a chaotic hour that left Sri Lanka reeling.

Amidst the ruins, Dinesh Chandimal stood tall.

Sri Lanka's standout performer in the first test amid the wreckage, Chandimal waged a lone battle with a defiant, back-to-the-wall 74, peppered with six boundaries and a towering six.

Just as he looked set to take Sri Lanka to safer shores, Alex Carey produced a moment of brilliance – stumping Chandimal off left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann to send alarm bells ringing.

Australia spin bowling coach Daniel Vettori paid tribute to Chandimal, who he said played "exceptionally well", but said that Sri Lanka had been "a lot more aggressive in the first test".

The only remaining recognised batter, Kusal Mendis, found a willing ally in offspinner Ramesh Mendis.

Recalled to the side for this crucial clash, Ramesh played the perfect supporting act, adding a vital 65-run stand for the seventh wicket with his namesake.

The Australians threw everything at them, but the duo held firm, negotiating the sharp turn and extra bounce with aplomb.

While Ramesh was rock-solid in defence, Kusal took a more aggressive route.

The tourists, frustrated by their inability to break the stand, eventually turned to the second new ball – and Starc delivered with immediate effect.

Steaming in at speeds north of 145 kph, Starc was relentless, with Ramesh edging one behind.

The left-arm quick struck again off the very next delivery, with Prabath Jayasuriya feathering one to the slip cordon, leaving the Australians sniffing a collapse.

With Starc on a hat-trick, Nishan Peiris walked in under immense pressure – and was bowled by Kuhnemann.

Meanwhile, Kusal Mendis kept the scoreboard ticking and reached his well-earned half-century with a single to long-off.

Sri Lanka batting coach Thilina Kandamby said the second session had been "disappointing" and that Australia had taken "a firm grip on the game".

"Given the scenario of the game, we will be happy if Kusal Mendis is able to help us to get to 275", he said.

Hundreds of Australian supporters have travelled to Galle, with former players Geoff Marsh and Merv Hughes leading large touring contingents.

Sri Lanka made three changes to the side that slumped to their heaviest test defeat in the series opener, bringing in opener Pathum Nissanka, fast bowler Lahiru Kumara and Ramesh Mendis.

Australia handed a debut to 21-year-old allrounder Cooper Connolly in place of Todd Murphy.

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Australia: Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (capt), Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, Beau Webster, Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Matthew Kuhnemann.

Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhanajaya de Silva (capt), Kusal Mendis, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Nishan Peiris, Lahiru Kumara

Australia are not yet a great team but completing a series sweep in Sri Lanka would push them closer, according to spin bowler Nathan Lyon.

Australia won the first test by an innings and 242 runs in Galle and will look to wrap up the series 2-0 with another win at the same venue when the second test starts on Thursday.

The world's top-ranked test nation and reigning World Test Championship holders, Australia have won 10 out of their last 13 tests since drawing the 2023 Ashes in England.

On their last tour of Sri Lanka, Australia gave up a 1-0 lead to split the two-match series with the hosts, who rebounded with an innings and 39-run win in the second test in Galle.

Lyon said there was plenty of motivation in the Australian camp to avoid a repeat of that let-down.

"It's about us on our journey to becoming a great team, to make sure we go 2-0 up," he told reporters.

"We're on that journey, we're not there yet but that's our end goal.

"We want to be known as a great team, and part of that journey is when we close a window making sure we nail it shut, and we don’t let anyone back in."

Australia's success has been compared with some of the nation's great test teams led by Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting.

Asked what would elevate the current group into greatness, Lyon said Australia still needed series wins in India and England.

Australia were held to 2-2 draws on their last two Ashes tours of England and have not beaten India away since Adam Gilchrist's team took a 2-1 series win in 2004.

Australia are likely to retain the same three-prong spin attack of Lyon, Matthew Kuhnemann and Todd Murphy for the second test after they took a total of 17 wickets in the first.

"I think we all complement each other really well, with three totally different bowlers with three totally different mindsets as well," said 37-year-old Lyon, who took seven wickets in the series-opener.

"I feel like I'm learning off Todd and Matt, and I feel like they're pushing me to try and get better as well.

"Hopefully I'm passing on a bit of knowledge here and there."

Two unlikely heroes stepped up for Australia as they handed hosts Sri Lanka their biggest-ever test defeat, and coach Andrew McDonald was impressed by both after a dominant start to the two-test series.

Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann fractured his thumb last month and McDonald had assumed the bowler would not be available for the match, but the 28-year-old took nine wickets.

McDonald also praised opening batter Usman Khawaja who, at 38, scored a personal-best 232 runs in the first innings, setting the stage for the visitors' mammoth victory by an innings and 242 runs.

"I thought he was gone," McDonald said of Kuhnemann.

"But as it progressed and got closer to the test match, he was pretty much a lock three days out. Not sure where we would have ended up, but there was plenty of conversations... in terms of selecting spinners.

"But Matt solved a lot of those dilemmas, and produced an outstanding performance."

Khawaja's innings of 232 got Australia off to a strong start on a pitch that increasingly favoured bowlers.

"He's an important part to the way that we play in subcontinent conditions," McDonald said of Khawaja. "He's got options, that reverse sweep that he's added over the journey."

Khawaja has found a way to remain successful on the international stage.

"He's been through the ringer here before, and it's great that he's been able to come through that, to have a method that is successful," the coach said.

"The unquantifiable benefit is the conversations that he's having with the next generation to get them prepared... we still think he's got plenty of cricket left in him. And I think he's been clear on that also."

The second and final test will begin in Galle on Thursday, to be followed by two one-day internationals (ODIs) in Colombo as Australia prepare for the Champions Trophy, which kicks off February 19.

Sri Lanka suffered their heaviest defeat in test cricket history on Saturday as Australia flexed their muscles to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series with a crushing victory by an innings and 242 runs.

The contest was wrapped up before tea on day four, with rookie left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann's match-winning spell delivering him career-best figures of 9-149 over both innings.

"We were put under pressure," Sri Lanka skipper Dhananjaya de Silva said afterwards. "The batters should have put up a better show."

Kuhnemann underwent surgery only two weeks ago on a broken right thumb sustained during the Big Bash League and battled through the match in pain, requiring constant medical attention.

He was well-supported by the ever-dependable Nathan Lyon, who spun a web around the Sri Lankan batters to finish with seven match wickets.

Sri Lanka's heaviest defeat before Saturday was in Nagpur in 2017, when India hammered them by an innings and 239.

Sri Lanka resumed on 136 for five overnight but their first innings folded for 165, losing their last five wickets for a mere nine runs.

Put straight back in to bat chasing 489, they lost three wickets before lunch and then capitulated in the second session – a humiliating finish for a team once renowned for its prowess on turning tracks.

Dinesh Chandimal had waged a lonely battle in the first innings to top-score with 72 and, with Angelo Mathews, stitched together one of only two 50-plus partnerships in the second.

However, he was sent back for 31 on the last ball before lunch when he gloved Lyon to Travis Head at short leg.

Oshada Fernando failed to make an impact in his return to the side, undone by a sharp inswinger from Mitchell Starc that trapped him plumb in front for six to go with his first innings seven.

Former skipper Dimuth Karunaratne's horror run with the bat continued after an avoidable dismissal for nought by Todd Murphy.

'TOUGH PLACE TO PLAY'

Rain forced an early lunch on day three before washing out the final two sessions.

Australia declared on 654-6 late on the second day after opener Usman Khawaja's career-best 232.

"Galle is a tough place to play cricket and we are very happy with this win," Khawaja said.

"I've played a lot of cricket in Sri Lanka, this being my fifth tour. I've made lot of mistakes before. I guess all that experience came in handy in this game."

Stand-in skipper Steve Smith also had a game to remember, becoming only the fourth Australian to breach the 10 000-run mark in test cricket on the first ball he faced.

He finished his innings with a masterful 141, while wicketkeeper Josh Inglis hit a century on debut.

Galle will host the second and final match of the series next week before a two-match ODI series in Colombo.

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AUSTRALIA: Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (capt), Josh Inglis, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Matt Kuhnemann, Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy.

SRI LANKA: Dimuth Karunaratne, Oshada Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), Kusal Mendis (wk), Prabath Jayasuriya, Nishan Peiris, Asitha Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay.

Australia had Sri Lanka three down after opener Usman Khawaja's first double century and a ton on debut by Josh Inglis helped the tourists to 654-6 declared in the first match on Thursday. 

Sri Lanka were 44-3 by stumps on day two at Galle with senior batsmen Dinesh Chandimal, on nine, and Kamindu Mendis, on 13, on guard until rain stopped play.

Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann struck first to have Oshada Fernando lbw and soon pace spearhead Mitchell Starc got Dimuth Karunaratne caught at gully.

Both batsmen made seven.

Veteran spinner Nathan Lyon then sent back former skipper Angelo Mathews out for eight with Travis Head taking a diving catch at short leg.

Khawaja's 266-run third-wicket partnership with Steve Smith, who hit 141 in a landmark innings that got the stand-in skipper to 10 000 test runs, stood out after Australia elected to bat first at the start of the two-match series.

It was the first time the tourists had breached the 600-run mark in Sri Lanka, surpassing their previous Asian high of 617, posted in Pakistan in 1980.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey was unbeaten on 46 with Starc on 19 when Smith declared the first innings in the final session.

Inglis made it count when he walked in after Smith departed on 141 in a landmark innings that got the stand-in skipper to 10 000 test runs.

He made 102 and with Khawaja kept up the batting surge in a 146-run stand to tire out the opposition attack.

"Hasn't sunk in yet," Inglis told reporters. "Nice to get the team into a very strong position.

"Obviously having played in the sub-continent helps. The training camp in Dubai was really key. We were able to work out our individual plans. If you see all our guys had clear plans."

KHAWAJA ANSWERS CRITICS

Spinner Prabath Jayasuriya broke the partnership to get Khawaja caught behind as the opener walked back after 352 balls that included 16 fours and one six.

Inglis reached his ton off 90 balls as he jumped in delight and punched the air.

But he got out in the next over as he gave away a catch to short cover off Jayasuriya.

Jayasuriya and fellow spinner Jeffrey Vandersay took three wickets each as Sri Lanka toiled for 154 overs.

"The surface didn't change much. They were bowling better lines and a bit quicker and that was the difference," said Vandersay.

"Australia have a mammoth total on the board. We just need to bat long as possible and keep focusing on building partnerships and take one session at a time."

The tourists resumed on 330-2 as overnight batsmen Khawaja and Smith frustrated the opposition attack on a sunny morning.

Khawaja took a single off Jayasuriya to reach 200 as he removed his helmet, raised his bat and dropped down to kiss the turf while teammates and fans stood up to applaud.

His previous best was an unbeaten 195 against South Africa in 2023 at Sydney and he is now the first Australian batsman to make a double ton in Sri Lanka.

He silenced his critics who questioned his future after his recent lean patch with just one fifty in the last 15 innings coming into this week's test.

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AUSTRALIA: Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (capt), Josh Inglis, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Matt Kuhnemann, Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy.

SRI LANKA: Dimuth Karunaratne, Oshada Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), Kusal Mendis (wk), Prabath Jayasuriya, Nishan Peiris, Asitha Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay.

Australia's Steve Smith joined a select group of batsmen to reach 10 000 test runs on Wednesday during the first morning of the opening test against Sri Lanka.

Smith started the match on 9 999 runs and on his first ball pushed for a single off Prabath Jayasuriya in Galle to be the 15th player and fourth Australian to the milestone.

The stand-in skipper raised his bat to acknowledge the applause from the crowd.

Steve Smith will never get a bigger cheer for getting off the mark 😎 #SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/B0IF9BL0Z8

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 29, 2025

"Fortunately hit that one in the gap so nice to get that one away," the 35-year-old told Australia's 7Cricket.

"Nice to tick that off," he added.

Smith joined fellow Australians Ricky Ponting, Allan Border and Steve Waugh in a list led by India's Sachin Tendulkar, who made 15 921 runs in his red-ball career.

He finished the day on 104 not out, his third century in four matches, to steer Australia to 330-2 in a 195-run unbeaten stand with Usman Khawaja, who made 147.

"I think I have scored more runs than anyone else batting alongside Smith," said Khawaja.

Khawaja said it was "devastating" when, from the non-strikers' end, he witnessed Smith getting dismissed in the previous test in Sydney earlier this month.

Smith made four in the second innings against India and fell agonisingly short of the landmark.

Khawaja added, "I just really gave a big hug today and said you are an absolute legend and you get to 10 000 runs only once and enjoy."

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar was the first to cross 10 000 runs in test cricket when he achieved the feat against Pakistan in 1987 at Ahmedabad.

Smith is leading Australia in the two-match series after regular captain Pat Cummins opted out due to the birth of his second child.

He averaged over 55 till the previous test and now has 35 centuries across 115 matches since his 2010 debut.

Smith started as a legspinner who batted at No 8 but soon rose to become the No 1 test batter and captain of Australia.

Smith is recognised as a modern-day great and part of a famous quartet of new-era batsmen including India's Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson of New Zealand and England's Joe Root.

Smith joins an elite list after tallying his 10,000th Test run, but his path to the top has never been straightforward 👏

FEATURE 👉 https://t.co/wJ8dHWnzHc pic.twitter.com/iPrOUcYz89

— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) January 29, 2025

Steve Smith stood unbeaten on 104 after crossing 10 000 test runs and helped Australia pummel Sri Lanka alongside fellow centurion Usman Khawaja on day one of the opening test on Wednesday.

Australia reached 330 for two in 81.1 overs when rain stopped play for the day after the tourists elected to bat first in Galle at the start of the two-match series.

Left-handed opener Khawaja, on 147, and skipper Smith put on an unbeaten stand of 195 to thwart the opposition attack in two wicketless afternoon sessions.

"We have played a lot of cricket in the sub-continent but not been able to put pressure on the opposition. But today, we definitely did that," Khawaja said.

He added, "Showed how fast we were scoring until they tried to bowl a bit negative line after tea."

Milestone man Smith got three runs offspinner Nishan Peiris to reach his third ton in four matches as he took off his baggy green and raised his bat to acknowledge the crowd's cheers.

Smith took the crease in the first session with 9 999 runs and calmly nudged his very first delivery to mid-on for a single off Prabath Jayasuriya.

He became the 15th batsman to 10 000 test runs and only the fourth Australian to achieve the feat after Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting.

Smith survived an early reprieve in his knock when Jayasuriya grassed a sharp return catch in the same over, a chance Sri Lanka would come to rue.

He made the hosts pay dearly, crafting a sublime 35th test century to reaffirm his stature as one of Australia's rock in the middle-order.

HEAD FIRES

Khawaja reached his 16th test hundred -– his maiden ton on Sri Lankan soil -– after a 17-match drought since his Ashes century in June 2023.

The ton came with a flick off fast bowler Asitha Fernando to the fine leg boundary, a stroke brimming with elegance and relief.

The 38-year-old had a few heart-in-mouth moments when a couple of edges fell just short of fielders and a reprieve on 74 when he nicked Jayasuriya to the keeper, but Sri Lanka chose not to review the on-field decision.

Another opportunity slipped through Sri Lanka's fingers with Smith on 90 as Kusal Mendis, slow to react behind the stumps, spilt a bat-pad chance.

Earlier, Travis Head smashed 57 off 40 balls including 10 fours and one six to put Sri Lanka on the back foot right away.

"The wicket is not a usual Galle wicket. It's on the slow side," Sri Lanka's spin bowling coach Piyal Wijetunga told reporters.

"When the wicket is not helping the bowlers, you should try to show more discipline and I don't think we bowled well today."

Head, who replaced 19-year-old Sam Konstas as an opener for the test, put on 92 runs with fellow left-hander Khawaja.

The hosts finally found a breakthrough when Head misfired an ambitious charge against Jayasuriya only to find the long-on fielder.

Jeffrey Vandersay had Marnus Labuschagne caught at first slip for 20 with his left-arm spin.

With three specialist spinners in the Australian XI, the tourists hold all the aces, especially with the pitch expected to deteriorate as the game progresses.

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AUSTRALIA: Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (capt), Josh Inglis, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Matt Kuhnemann, Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy.

SRI LANKA: Dimuth Karunaratne, Oshada Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), Kusal Mendis (wk), Prabath Jayasuriya, Nishan Peiris, Asitha Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay.

Australian batting great Steve Smith begins a tour of Sri Lanka just one short of entering the elite club of 10 000 test runs ahead of Wednesday's opening match in Galle.

Smith, who will captain the team for the two-match series in the absence of Pat Cummins, has amassed 9 999 runs in 114 matches at an average of more than 55.

The 35-year-old is all but assured of becoming the 15th batsman in the world – and fourth Australian after Ricky Ponting, Allan Border and Steve Waugh – to achieve the milestone.

Smith said the landmark would not be on his mind when he walks out at the picturesque Galle stadium overlooking the Indian Ocean.

"Honestly, I'm trying not to think about it too much," he told reporters on Tuesday.

Smith suggested it had played on his mind "a bit too much" during Australia's fifth and final test against India in Sydney this month, where his 33 and four left him agonisingly short.

"Now it's just about focusing on the job at hand," he said.

Travis Head will open the batting in place of 19-year-old Sam Konstas on a pitch that is expected to favour spinners and at a venue where Sri Lanka have won 27 of the 46 tests played.

"Travis will bat at the top, but we'll finalise the XI after another look at the pitch tomorrow morning," Smith said.

"The wicket has changed a bit since yesterday, so we'll weigh our options."

INGLIS DEBUT?

Australia, who have already set up a World Test Championship (WTC) final with South Africa at Lord's in June, will be looking to stamp their authority as the number-one test team.

Smith was coy on whether wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, 29, was in line for his test debut.

"He has solid defence, plays spin well, and scores all around the wicket," Smith said. "If he gets his chance, I'm confident he'll grab it with both hands."

Sri Lanka, led by Dhananjaya de Silva, will be looking to reclaim the Warne-Murali trophy, named after late Australia hero Shane Warne and Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan.

Sri Lanka hammered the visiting Australians 3-0 in 2016 but the last series in 2022 ended 1-1, with both matches played in Galle.

"The last time we won the Warne-Murali Trophy was in 2016, which was also my debut series. A lot of players from that campaign are still in the mix and we believe we have what it takes to repeat history," de Silva told reporters.

"Another incentive for us is the chance to finish third in the WTC standings if we win 2-0. That would be a tremendous achievement."

The hosts have injury worries, with opener Pathum Nissanka out due to a groin injury and de Silva struggling with a side strain.

"Pathum is a key player and we're hopeful he'll be fit for the second test. Whoever steps in will have a golden opportunity to make a mark," de Silva said.

Oshada Fernando, a seasoned campaigner with a knack for piling up runs in domestic cricket, is the frontrunner to replace Nissanka.

Travis Head will replace Sam Konstas as Usman Khawaja's opening partner in the first test against Sri Lanka at Galle on Wednesday, Australia's stand-in captain Steve Smith said on the eve of the match.

Konstas, who impressed as opener in his debut series against India, could be accommodated in the middle order following Head's promotion, Smith said.

Head impressed in Australia's 2023 tour of India showing his proficiency against spin, which could come in handy in the two-test series against a spin-heavy Sri Lanka, reckoned Smith.

"Trav will go to the top, outside of that I think it will be pretty stable," Smith told reporters on Tuesday.

"I don't see it being a great deal of change from that.

"The selectors liked what they saw in India when he (Head) had that opportunity.

"He got after the new ball, scored quickly and put the pressure on them straight away so I guess similar thinking here."

Head was the leading scorer as Australia reclaimed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a decade following their 3-1 series victory earlier this month.

Teenage opener Konstas played the last two tests against India and impressed immediately but Australia preferred Head's experience above his nonchalant aggression.

Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann has been declared fit.

With both the tests scheduled in Galle, it will be trial by spin for Australia, who have already qualified for the World Test Championship final against South Africa.

Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya will lead Sri Lanka's spin-heavy attack at a venue where the ball tends to turn from the first session itself.

Home captain Dhananjaya de Silva, who is recovering from a side strain, is certain to play but Pathum Nissanka has been ruled out with a groin strain.

Australia will play an additional ODI during their Sri Lanka tour starting later this month for two tests as part of the ICC World Test Championships, the hosts said Wednesday.

Both teams were originally due to play a one-off one-day international at Hambantota but another match has been added to the schedule, with both to now be staged in Colombo.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said the two ODIs will be held on 12 and 14 February after the two tests.

The test series will pitch top-ranked Australia against sixth-ranked Sri Lanka.

The first test will begin from January 29, while the second is scheduled to start on 6 February. Both matches will be played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.

The Australians last visited Sri Lanka for a two-match test series in 2022, which was drawn.

Australia recalled opener Nathan McSweeney and called up allrounder Cooper Connolly on Thursday for the first time in a spin-heavy test squad for the tour of Sri Lanka, with Steve Smith captain.

Regular skipper Pat Cummins stays home for the birth of his second child while fellow fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is rested after picking up a calf injury.

There is no place for the dropped Mitch Marsh in the 16-man squad.

McSweeney was axed after just three matches for the fourth India test after failing to justify his inclusion at the top of the order and replaced by fearless 19-year-old Sam Konstas.

Both are included in the squad for the two tests against Sri Lanka in Galle beginning on January 29.

Matt Kuhnemann and Todd Murphy join test regular Nathan Lyon as specialist spinners.

Connolly, 21, is in line to make his test debut, with selectors prizing his ability to bowl left-arm offspin, an asset on Sri Lanka's turning pitches.

Introducing our 16-player squad for our Qantas Men’s Tour of Sri Lanka 🇱🇰#SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/BUWJHr5Zz4

— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) January 9, 2025

"Sri Lanka is a challenging and exciting place to tour given the different conditions players may be presented with," selector George Bailey said.

"This squad provides several ways to structure the XI depending on what type of wickets we may encounter in each match."

After an impressive debut in the final test against India in Sydney, allrounder Beau Webster retains his place over the out-of-favour Marsh, as selectors looked to inject some youth into the touring party.

"We are excited about the opportunity ahead for the squad members who are at the start of their test careers to continue to grow their games in subcontinent conditions, where we have a number of important tours in coming years," Bailey said.

Australia beat India 3-1 in the recently concluded home series.

AUSTRALIA SQUAD: Steve Smith (capt), Travis Head, Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster