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Pallekele: A rain-curtailed, bad lights affected first Test match between Australia and Sri Lanka saw Rangana Herath and Sandakan’s spin web demolishing the Aussie batting line up after the visitors were bowled out for 161 to register a famous 106 runs victory over the visitors.
Herath picked up a figures of 5/54 in the second innings while debut man Sandakan was equally instrumental in Sri Lanka’s win as he picked up three wickets.
The hosts now go up 1-0 in the three-match Test series.
Earlier riding on Kusal Mendis’ swashbuckling innings of 176, the hosts scored 353/10 in the second innings to set Australia a target of 268 runs.
Australia didn’t make a good start of the chase on day 4 and lost three wickets within 100 runs.
The visiting team experienced a set back soon after the start of the day’s play as Adam Voges went back to the dressing room in the most bizarre manner off Herath.
Kangaroo skipper Steve Smith though showed some resistance to Lankan spin attack but he too was eventually sent packing by Herath.
Australia lost two quick wickets in the form of Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc just before the stroke of lunch on final day and then lost Nathan Lyon just after the lunch break.
Dhananjaya de Silva eventually broke a long and patient partnership of 4 runs that was held for almost 30 overs between Steve O’ Keefe and Peter Nevill.
Left-arm Herath then clipped O’Keefe’s stumps to dismantle Australia’s quest in the first Test match.
This is Sri Lanka’s only second win over Australia in the longest format.
Brief scores
Sri Lanka - 117 (Lyon 3-12, Hazlewood 3-21) and 353 (Mendis 176, Starc 4-84)
Australia - 203 (Voges 47, Herath 4-49, Sandakan 4-58) and 161 (Smith 55, Herath 5-54)
Status - Sri Lanka won by 106 runs
