Australia’s Spinners Lead to a Crushing Victory
Matthew Kuhnemann and Nathan Lyon spearheaded Australia’s dominant victory against Sri Lanka, combining for 16 wickets to seal an innings and 242-run win in the Australia tour of Sri Lanka, 2025. The match, held in Galle, ended in just four days despite rain delays.
First Innings Struggles: Sri Lanka’s Batting Woes
Sri Lanka’s first innings crumbled to 165 all out, with Dinesh Chandimal top-scoring with 72. However, Matthew Kuhnemann’s five-wicket haul (5/63) and Lyon’s effective spell gave Australia a commanding lead. Usman Khawaja’s 232, Steven Smith’s 141, and Josh Inglis’ century powered Australia to a mammoth total of 654/6 declared.
Second Innings Collapse: Kuhnemann and Lyon Dominate
Enforcing the follow-on, Australia’s spin attack struck early, reducing Sri Lanka to 6/2 within a few overs. Despite Angelo Mathews’ fightback (69-run stand), Sri Lanka faltered again, losing wickets in quick succession. Kuhnemann (4/86) and Lyon (4/78) ensured no recovery, bundling Sri Lanka out for 247.
Key Match Highlights
- Usman Khawaja’s 232 powered Australia’s innings victory.
- Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann took 16 wickets combined, dominating Sri Lanka’s batting lineup.
- Josh Inglis scored his maiden Test century as Australia declared at 654/6.
- Sri Lanka lost by an innings and 242 runs, handing Australia a 1-0 lead in the Test series.
Expert Reactions and Next Steps
Cricket analysts praised Usman Khawaja’s performance, highlighting his ability to anchor Australia’s innings. Looking ahead, Sri Lanka must improve their shot selection and middle-order resilience to bounce back in the second Test.
Read More:
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