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Aussies lose a Test by an innings after six years 

12 Jul 2022

Marking the first time the Aussies lost a Test match by an innings since 2016 – in a match against South Africa in Hobart – Prabath Jayasuriya’s 12-wicket match bag and an unbeaten double-ton by Dinesh Chandimal secured Sri Lanka a massive win by an innings and 39 runs yesterday (11) at the Galle International Stadium. The Warne-Muralitharan Trophy was shared by the two teams as the series ended 1-1.  This was also the first time Australia was defeated in a Test match after scoring 350-plus runs in the first innings. Debutant Jayasuriya’s match bag of 12 for 177 are the best figures by a debutant for Sri Lanka.  Chandimal’s double-ton has Sri Lanka roaring Resuming Day Four with an overnight lead of 67, Dinesh Chandimal and Ramesh Mendis went about their business in the first hour, again frustrating the Australians. Chandimal was looking solid as ever and Mendis was chipping in with some valuable runs to extend the lead.  They shared a partnership of 68 before Mitchell Starc finally got Mendis trapped leg-before-wicket (lbw). Maheesh Theekshana would also perish for 10 before lunch but the hosts’ lead had now grown to 135.  Chandimal went on the attack in the afternoon session, smashing the Australian bowlers and edging closer to a landmark double-century. He brought up the milestone by hitting Starc for back-to-back maximums, as the Sri Lankan dressing room erupted in applause. With this feat, he became the first Sri Lankan to score a double-century against Australia in Test cricket. Australia’s misery would finally end when Mitchell Swepson trapped Kasun Rajitha, but the hosts had grown their lead to 190.  Jayasuriya works his magic, again!  The visitors struggled against the spin of debutant Prabath Jayasuriya in the first innings and struggled again in the second. He was well-supported by the rest of the spinners as Ramesh Mendis and Theekshana also chipped in with two wickets apiece. But it was Jayasuriya who walked away with the glory, registering figures of 6/59. His scalps included Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc, and Mitchell Swepson as the Australians looked clueless against his magic.  For Australia, it was a tepid batting display which will again raise question marks about their ability against the turning ball. Only Marnus Labuschagne could cross the 30-run mark, as they succumbed to a defeat by an innings and 39 runs. For Sri Lanka, it was a well-deserved win as they levelled the two-match series.  (ICC) Brief scores  Australia 1st Innings 364 all out in 110 overs  (Steve Smith 145*, Marnus Labuschagne 104, Usman Khawaja 37; Prabath Jayasuriya 6/118, Kasun Rajitha 2/70) Sri Lanka 1st Innings 554 all out in 181 overs (Dinesh Chandimal 206*, Dimuth Karunarathne 87, Kusal Mendis 85, Kamindu Mendis 61, Angelo Mathews 52; Mitchel Starc 4/89, Mitchel Swepson 3/103, Nathan Lyon 2/194)   Australia 2nd Innings 151 all out in 43 overs  (Marnus Labuschagne 32; Prabath Jayasuriya 6/59, Maheesh Theekshana 2/28, Ramesh Mendis 2/47)   


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