Smith credits plans as Australia ace trial by spin in Sri Lanka
Australia captain Steve Smith attributed their 2-0 series victory against Sri Lanka to the perfect execution of their batting plans against the turning ball in Galle.
Steve Smith Sport News
Australia Win Second Test And Series Against Sri Lanka
Australia won the second Test against Sri Lanka by nine wickets in Galle on Sunday to sweep the series 2-0. Set a target of 75 to win, Australia lost only Travis Head as they romped to a commanding victory before lunch on day four. Steve Smith's men had earlier on Sunday bundled Sri Lanka out for 231, after the hosts had resumed on 211-8 from overnight. Sri Lanka's resistance lasted just 26 minutes, losing Kusal Mendis for 50 and Lahiru Kumara for nine.
Australia beat Sri Lanka by 9 wickets to sweep series
:Australia beat Sri Lanka by nine wickets inside four days of the second test to complete a 2-0 series sweep in Galle on Sunday.
2nd Test: Australia On Brink Of Sri Lanka Test Series Sweep
Australia are two wickets away from ending Sri Lanka's second innings in the second Test Saturday, with the hosts reeling at 211-8 at stumps on day three in Galle. With Sri Lanka leading by only 54 runs, Steve Smith's side will be eager to mop up the tail early Sunday and seal a 2-0 sweep. Angelo Mathews was the linchpin of Sri Lanka's innings, holding things together as wickets tumbled at the other end. But just 15 minutes before the close of play, he swept Nathan Lyon straight to square leg, where Beau Webster pocketed a sharp chance.
Sri Lanka vs Australia 2nd Test Day 3 Live Score Updates
Sri Lanka vs Australia 2nd Test Day 3 Live Updates: Steve Smith and Alex Carey will resume the Australian innings at 330 for 3 as the side will aim to put more pressure on Sri Lanka on Day 3 in the ongoing second and final Test at Galle International Stadium. Commanding centuries from Smith and Carey on Day 2 gave Australia a dominating lead at stumps. Australia, leading by 73 runs, were poised to post a mammoth first-innings total, with Smith and Carey stitching together an unbroken 259-run stand for the fourth wicket. Sri Lanka's bowlers showed some early flair but the spinners struggled to get the same fizz off the surface once the ball lost its bite, and Smith exploited the gap. (Live Scorecard)
Steve Smith Equals Rahul Dravid, Joe Root In List Of Elite Test Batters
Australian batting stalwart Steve Smith registered his 36th Test century on day 2 of the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium on Friday. With this century, Smith has now equalled the legendary Rahul Dravid and England's Joe Root in the list of most Test centuries, making him the joint-fifth highest century-maker in Test history. Smith, leading Australia in the absence of Pat Cummins, played a captain's knock, anchoring the innings after the visitors suffered early blows. Walking in at 37/2, following the dismissals of Travis Head (21) and Marnus Labuschagne (4), Smith faced immediate pressure but remained unfazed. He survived a close lbw appeal on the first ball, as the Sri Lankan review revealed the ball was missing the stumps.
LIVE | Sri Lanka v Australia - 2nd Test - Day 1
Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva won the toss and chose to bat in the second and final Test against Australia in Galle on Thursday.
Smith backs Labuschagne, Connolly may debut against Sri Lanka
Australia captain Steve Smith backed number three batter Marnus Labuschagne to regain his form and hinted spin-bowling all-rounder Cooper Connolly could make his test debut in the second match against Sri Lanka on Thursday.