When the series began no one gave the Sri Lankans a realistic chance after their lackluster performance in their previous tours. The Australians were the clear favourites and they even had the hosts on the mat in the very first Test when the bowled out the Sri Lankans for a paltry 117 in the first innings. But since then, the Aussie batsmen haven’t found any answers to their spinners and have succumbed meekly.
Prior to this series Australia was handed the ICC Champions mace but they were yet to prove their credentials in the subcontinent. They had previously been whitewashed by India and Pakistan in their last two subcontinental tours but looking at the inexperienced Sri Lankan side and their below par performance in the recent past, Australia were expected to win hands down.
The Sri Lankans turned it around in dramatic fashion and registered their first ever series whitewash against a top Test playing nation.
The youngsters put their hands up and executed their plans to perfection.
Now, here we look at 5 talking points of the series:
#1 Terrific century under pressure by Kusal Mendis in the first Test
The series began as per expectations as the Aussies dismissed the hosts for a mere 117 runs in their first innings. The Sri Lankan bowlers responded well and bundled out the visitors for 203. A lead of 86 wasn’t big but was an important one.
Again the Sri Lankans began on a shaky note losing their first four wickets for just 86 runs but what transpired after that was nothing short of extraordinary. In a match where no one scored a half century a young man with very little experience just toyed with the Australian bowling hitting them all over the park. It was a special display of batsmanship by Kusal Mendis as he went on to score a magnificent 176 in not the easiest of pitches.
His century took the Sri Lankan total to 353 setting Australia a victory target 268. Mendis hit 21 fours and a solitary six during his breathtaking innings.
A brilliant bowling spell by Rangana Herath ensured Sri Lanka won the match by 106 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
#2 Rangana Herath’s brilliant bowling performance throughout the series
The veteran left-arm spinner has been a consistent performer for Sri Lanka ever since the retirement of Muralitharan and the southpaw didn’t disappoint in this series. He took a total of 28 wickets in the series and delivered whenever his side needed him. Besides that he has also contributed with the bat lower down the order.
In the first Test, he took four wickets in the first innings when the chips were down and bundled out the visitors for 203. In the 2nd innings when the hosts were pressing for the victory, Herath again bowled in superb areas and let the pitch do the rest. He finished with 5/54.
In the 1st innings of the 2nd Test Herath again dismissed four Aussie batsmen as they folded out for 106. It was Dilruwan Perera’s heroics in the 2nd innings that bamboozled the Aussies and Herath chipped in with 2 wickets. Herath also scored a vital 26 in the 2nd innings and stitched together a crucial partnership with Dilruwan Perera.
He was absolutely unplayable in the 3rd Test where he picked up 13 wickets. In the 1st innings when the Aussies were going along well he was the one who put the brakes on them and ensured they didn’t take a substantial lead. In the 2nd innings when the Aussies were chasing 324, it was again the southpaw who broke their backbone and finished with figures of 7/64.
#3 Mitchell Starc the lone stand-out performer for Australia in an otherwise disappointing tour
In a series where the Aussies have been steamrolled by the Lankans, Mitchell Starc has been the only bright spot. Despite his side’s below-par performance Starc has put his hands up and bowled his heart out. His 24 wickets in the series are the most by any visiting pacer in the island nation.
Starc picked up 6 wickets in the first Test and was instrumental in bowling out the Sri Lankans for 117 in their 1st innings. He backed it up with 11 wickets in the 2nd Test and his lethal inswinging yorkers rattled the stumps on more than one occasion. His spells of 5/44 and 6/50 would have stood as a match-winning spell any other time but the Aussie batsmen were unable to tackle their spinners as Starc’s effort went in vain.
Even in the 3rd Test, Starc rattled the Sri Lankan top order as they were tottering at 26/5 before Chandimal and Dhananjaya de Silva scored magnificent centuries to bail the hosts out of trouble.
#4 Dilruwan Perera’s all-round heroics in the 2nd Test
It was a good batting performance by the hosts in the 1st innings as they notched up a competitive 281 on the board. It was again the veteran, Rangana Herath who started the collapse and Perera supported him very well. Both picked up 4 wickets each as the visitors were bundled out for 106.
In the 2nd innings when the hosts needed quick runs Perera scored a quick fire 64 hitting 7 fours and 2 sixes thus setting Australia a victory target of 412.
Perera was simply superb when the Lankans came on to bowl and kept persisting with a nagging line and length that brought him rich dividends. He didn’t turn the ball sharply but just turned it enough to get the outside edge. He finished with figures of 6/70 as the Aussies were bowled for 183, handing Sri Lanka a victory by 229 runs.
#5 Dhananjaya de Silva and Kaushal Silva’s century in the 3rd Test
Sri Lanka came into the match as clear favourites after their dominance in the first two Tests. The Aussies were down and out and required their more experienced players to step up and tackle the spinners well.
The Aussies had the Sri Lankans on the mat after a hostile spell from Mitchell Starc left them tottering at 26/5. It appeared the Aussies might finish the tour with a consolation win but since the fall of the 5th wicket it was the pair of Dhananjaya de Silva and Dinesh Chandimal that steadied their ship and bailed them out of the precarious situation. It was high-quality batting by the youngster and along with Chandimal the duo put together 211 runs. Thanks to their magnificent centuries, the Sri Lankans posted 355 in their 1st innings.
The Australians responded well and centuries by Steven Smith and Shaun Marsh ensured they took a slender 24 run lead.
After repeated failures, Kaushal Silva was asked to bat at number 3 and he responded in a terrific fashion. He scored a calm and composed century to take The Sri Lankan score to 347. He struck 10 boundaries during his brilliant innings.
Rangana Herath was again the wrecker-in-chief picking up 7 wickets in the 2nd innings to bundle out the Aussies for 160. The win ensured Sri Lanka’s whitewash of a top Test playing nation for the first time since gaining their Test status.
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