Cricket: Australia secure commanding 2-0 series win in Sri Lanka

Australia cantered to victory against Sri Lanka on Sunday, sealing a whitewash of their two-Test series in Galle.

Day four of the second Test began with the hosts holding a slim 54-run lead with just two wickets in hand.

Cricket betting sites gave them a little to no chance of pulling off an upset, paying a long +1800 for Sri Lanka to win and just -5000 for Australia to finish what they had started.

The latter happened quickly, as Sri Lanka could add just 20 runs to their overnight total before they were dismissed partway through the morning session.

In response, the visitors went about their work quickly, with Travis Head striking a quickfire 20 before Usman Khawaja (27) and Marnus Labuschagne (26) carried their bats to take Australia over the line.

“It was a really good series,” stand-in captain Steve Smith said after he was named player of the series.

“We played really well from the outset.

“The way the batters were able to adapt to the conditions was amazing.

“We scored enough runs through the series.

“All the bowlers did the job. Starc was quick and the spinners went to work.

“Since 2016 the first time I came here, the guys have developed so many different plans.

“It is great to see the guys play the spinners, really good spinners.”

Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva was far less upbeat in his post-series comments, bemoaning his team’s missed opportunities.

“We are very disappointed to be in the losing side,” he said.

“The conditions is very suitable for us.

“We haven’t had our opportunities to get into the game.

“The Aussies showed why they are in the WTC final.

“We haven’t done well.

“I am talking about the first innings, be it batting or bowling.

“We had the best time to bat this time, but 260 was not enough.

“Losing four wickets in an hour will not give you a win.

“The consistency was lacking with our spinners.”

Australia now face four months off Test cricket, with their next red-ball match being the World Test Championship final against South Africa in June.

Cricket bookmakers are yet to release odds for the Test, but the world No.1 side will head to Lord’s as favourites to defend their title.

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