Galle Test: After 17 years, Sri Lanka beat Australia in Test series

Dilruwan Perera takes 10 wickets, Sri Lanka win by 229 runs

Sri Lanka's team members acknowledges the crowd as they celebrate their victory over Australia by 229 runs in the second test cricket match in Galle, Sri Lanka, on Saturday. (AP)

 

 

GALLE: Dilruwan Perera took a career-best 10-wicket haul on Saturday to hand Sri Lanka a crushing 229-run win over Australia in the second test and an unassailable 2-0 series lead over the world's top-ranked team.

Chasing 413 to win, Australia was bowled out for 183 in its second innings as the match ended inside three days at Galle International stadium.

This is only the second series win over Australia for Sri Lanka, ranked seventh among the 10 test-playing nations. The last one came 17 years ago under Sanath Jayasuriya's captaincy.

It is also the largest win by runs between the two countries, the previous best being Australia's 197-run victory at this venue in 2004.

Off spinner Perera was named man of the match after taking six for 70 in the second innings for a match return of 10 for 99 -- his first 10-wicket haul in tests. His previous best return in an innings was five for 69 against South Africa, while his top match haul was his eight for 129 from the same match.

Perera also became the fastest Sri Lankan bowler to take 50 test wickets, in his 11th game.

After winning the toss, Sri Lanka made 281 in its first innings with Kusal Mendis top scoring with 86. Australia was bowled out for 106, helped by a hat-trick by left-arm spinner Rangana Herath.

Sri Lanka made 237 in its second innings, with Perera also starring with the bat with a top score of 64.

Left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc stood out for Australia bowling in unfavorable conditions, taking a career-best match haul of 11 wickets.

Resuming the third day at 25 for three, Australia lost overnight batsman David Warner for 41 with the total on 61. He was trapped lbw by Perera.

Captain Steve Smith (30) was caught by Kusal Mendis off Perera and Mitchell Marsh (18) was ruled lbw as he offered no stroke to spinner Lakshan Sandakan.

Australia was unable to recover from that position facing a rampant Sri Lankan spin pair of Perera and Herath.

Sri Lanka won the first test by 106 runs in Pallekele last week.

Brief Scores

Sri Lanka 1st Innings: 281 (Kusal Mendis 86, Angelo Mathews 54, Kusal Perera 49; Mitchell Starc 5-44)

Australia 1st Innings: 106 (David Warner 42; Dilruwan Perera 4-29, Rangana Herath 4-35)

Sri Lanka 2nd Innings: 237 (Dilruwan Perera 64, Angelo Mathews 47; Mitchell Starc 6-50)

Australia 2nd Innings: 183 (David Warner 41, Dilruwan Perera 6-70)

Sri Lanka win by 229 runs, lead series 2-0.