Sat Feb 01 18:41:37 UTC 2025: **Australia Thrash Sri Lanka in Galle Test; Khawaja Stars**
Galle, Sri Lanka – Australia secured a resounding innings victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle, handing the hosts their heaviest Test defeat ever. The win, achieved by an innings and 70 runs, marks only the second time Sri Lanka has lost by an innings at their Galle fortress.
Usman Khawaja was named Player of the Match for his outstanding double century (200) in Australia’s first innings total of 650, a performance captain Steve Smith lauded as setting the tone for the match. Smith himself contributed a significant score, and Josh Inglis marked his Test debut with a century. The Australian bowlers also dominated, with Matt Kuhnemann taking nine wickets (9/149) in his return to the side, Nathan Lyon claiming seven (7/165), and Mitchell Starc contributing three (3-27). The spinners, in particular, were praised for their ability to rotate and maintain freshness.
Smith highlighted the importance of the toss, stating that chasing 600 runs proved too challenging for Sri Lanka. While acknowledging dropped catches and missed reviews, he emphasized the need for Australia to maintain their intensity and improve their game further. Khawaja, reflecting on his milestone double century and surpassing 10,000 Test runs, noted that cricket is a team game and that consistent scoring isn’t always possible.
Sri Lanka’s lower order showed some fight, with Jeffrey Vandersay scoring a plucky fifty, but ultimately they were unable to stave off the inevitable defeat. Their fightback was too little, too late, as Kuhnemann and Lyon eventually cleaned up the tail.
Australia’s triumph comes hot on the heels of a 3-1 Ashes series win over England, marking a successful period for the team. The second Test in Galle begins next week.
First Piper 