shot-button
Subscription Subscription
Home > Sports News > Cricket News > Article > Sri Lankan beat Australia by 106 runs

Sri Lankan beat Australia by 106 runs

Updated on: 31 July,2016 10:06 AM IST  | 
Agencies |

Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath backed up centurion Kusal Mendis' superlative effort to stun top-ranked Australia by 106 runs in the rain-affected first Test on Saturday.

Sri Lankan beat Australia by 106 runs

Pallekele: Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath backed up centurion Kusal Mendis’ superlative effort to stun top-ranked Australia by 106 runs in the rain-affected first Test here on Saturday.


Wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal (left), Dilruwan Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva and skipper Angelo Mathews (right) are ecstatic after Sri Lanka’s win as Australia’s Steve OWicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal (left), Dilruwan Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva and skipper Angelo Mathews (right) are ecstatic after Sri Lanka’s win as Australia’s Steve O' Keefe leaves the field in Pallekele on Saturday. PIC:AP/PTI


Herath, 38, grabbed 5-54 to help the hosts bundle out Australia for 161 on the fifth and final day after they were set a challenging 268 in the second innings.


Frustrating 178-ball stand between O’Keefe & Nevill
Australian skipper Steven Smith posted a gritty half-century before Steve O’Keefe and Peter Nevill frustrated Sri Lanka with a 178-ball partnership. The pair added only four runs for the ninth wicket. Herath bagged the last Australian wicket to fall by cleaning up O’Keefe to trigger wild celebration in the Lankan camp. This was Sri Lanka’s only second Test win against Australia in 27 matches.

Rangana Herath celebrates Sri Lanka’s win after dismissing Australia’s Steve O’Keeffe at Pallekele on Saturday. PIC/AFP
Rangana Herath celebrates Sri Lanka’s win after dismissing Australia’s Steve O’Keeffe at Pallekele on Saturday. PIC/AFP

It was batsman Mendis (176) who set up the unlikely win for Sri Lanka with his superb maiden ton in his team’s second innings after the hosts overcame an 86-run deficit. For Lankan spinners it was a race against time as rain threatened to thwart their chances of upsetting firm favourites Australia but Herath had other ideas in mind.

The left-arm spinner, who grabbed four wickets in the first innings, made life miserable for the Australian batsmen on a turning track on the fifth morning. Smith, whose 55 was the next best after Mendis’ century, was trapped lbw by Herath as Australia slipped to 141 for seven at lunch.

Debutant chinaman bowler Lakshan Sandakan (3-49), who bagged seven wickets in the match, provided the perfect foil to Herath’s experience.

2
This is Sri Lanka's second win against Australia in Tests

Brief scores
Sri Lanka 117 & 353 beat Australia 203 & 161
(S Smith 55, J Burns 29; R Herath 5-54 L Sandakan 3-49) by 106 runs

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!


Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK