Australia's players pose with the trophy after their win at the end of the second Test match against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Cricket Stadium in Galle on Saturday-AFP GALLE, Sri Lanka, Feb 09 (Agencies): 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.
It's Australia's first Test series win on Sri Lankan soil since 2011.
Their last success here came under Ricky Ponting's captaincy, a 1-0 victory in 2011. However, they suffered a 3-0 whitewash in 2016 under Steve Smith's leadership, and the 2022 series ended in a 1-1 draw. This time, with Smith standing in as captain for Pat Cummins, the victory was a welcome redemption.
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.
"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.
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