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Sri Lanka vs Australia Highlights 1st Test, Day 4: Australia beat Sri Lanka by innings and 242 runs

Australia won the first Test against Sri Lanka by an innings and 242 runs inside four days on Saturday to hand the hosts their wor...

The Times of India | Feb 01, 2025, 15:35:51 IST

COMPLETED - 1st Test - Galle
SL  
247/10165/10
COMPLETED
AUS  
654/6 
Australia beat Sri Lanka by an innings and 242 runs
View detailed match updates
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15:35 (IST), Feb, 01

That wraps up this one-sided encounter, where Australia steamrolled Sri Lanka to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Sri Lanka have plenty to ponder before the second Test, as they must display far better application to stand a chance of levelling the series. Australia, on the other hand, will be full of confidence after this dominant display and will look to carry the momentum forward. The second and final Test will also be played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium, starting on February 6, 2025, with the first ball scheduled to be bowled at 4.30 am GMT. As always, our buildup begins well in advance, so make sure to tune in early for all the latest updates. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

15:34 (IST), Feb, 01

Australia's skipper, Steven Smith says that it worked out well and they started the Test match beautifully with the opening pair and applauds the way Usman Khawaja played and then appreciates the bowlers to get the job done. Mentions that it broke up and the first day doesn't reflect the whole picture and reckons the bowlers bowled really well and the beauty of three spinners is that you can rotate them nicely. Adds that every surface you play on is different and on this occasion, three spinners was the way to go. Ends by saying that he never thought he would score so many runs and it is a dream come true to not only play a Test for Australia but more than a 100 Tests.

15:33 (IST), Feb, 01

Dhananjaya de Silva, the skipper of Sri Lanka says that the Toss is crucial at Galle and it was never easy chasing a 600-plus score. Appreciates Jeffrey Vandersay's knock and mentions that the pitch wasn't that bad but the ball was turning enough and the batters should have put in better performances. Says that had their chances and they dropped them at crucial stages. Concludes that they will have to put their bodies behind the line and they will have to bring their A-game in front of such a strong team like Australia. 

15:28 (IST), Feb, 01

Usman Khawaja is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his magnificent double-hundred that set things up for Australia. Khawaja starts by saying that is he very grateful to be playing cricket for Australia and it feels nice to contribute at a tricky place like Galle. Adds that cricket is a team game and you want to score all the time but all you can hope is that if you don't score then someone else does and vice-versa. Mentions that this is his fifth trip to Sri Lanka and has learnt a lot from his past mistakes and has his own plans against the spin here.

15:26 (IST), Feb, 01

It's time for the Presentation Ceremony ...

15:24 (IST), Feb, 01

Australia enforced the follow-on for the first time in 22 years, and Sri Lanka’s batting struggles only deepened. Losing two wickets within four overs, they were left tottering at 6/2. The middle order showed some resistance, stitching together a few 40+ partnerships, but Australia’s spinners ensured that none of the starts blossomed into a match-saving innings. Jeffrey Vandersay towards the end played a nice little cameo to get his maiden half-century and delay the inevitable but Australia managed to get the job done. Nathan Lyon led the charge, and along with Matthew Kuhnemann, the duo shared eight wickets, four apiece to bring Sri Lanka’s innings to a close. A staggering 15 wickets fell on Day 4 alone, exposing the glaring weaknesses in Sri Lanka’s batting lineup.

15:19 (IST), Feb, 01

Needing a strong response with the bat, Sri Lanka collapsed to 30/3 before Dinesh Chandimal showed some fight. The first session on Day 3 was their best period in the game, where they managed a few decent partnerships, but none of them converted into big scores. Rain on Day 3 helped them delay the inevitable, but Day 4 turned into a nightmare. Australia’s bowlers, led by Matthew Kuhnemann's five-fer and Nathan Lyon's three wickets, tore through Sri Lanka’s fragile batting lineup. Kusal Mendis’s dismissal triggered another collapse, and Sri Lanka were bowled out for 165 in just under 53 overs, trailing by 489 runs.

15:18 (IST), Feb, 01

Batting once was all Australia needed, and they batted big. Travis Head set up the game for Australia with his aggressive batting at the top and Usman Khawaja led the way with a maiden Test double century. Steven Smith not only scored a century but also joined the elite 10,000-run club in Test cricket while debutant Josh Inglis ensured Australia’s dominance with a fine century of his own, as the visitors piled up 654/6 before declaring with an hour left on Day 2. Sri Lanka’s bowlers struggled with consistency, and the team did not grab the chances that came their way. While Prabath Jayasuriya and Jeffrey Vandersay picked up three wickets each, the bowling unit as a whole was never able to trouble the Australian batters enough.

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15:17 (IST), Feb, 01

It’s hard to pinpoint whether it was Sri Lanka’s bowling or batting that let them down, but their performance was well below par. The pitch didn’t have any demons as such, yet Sri Lanka’s poor approach and lack of application saw them crumble not once but twice with the bat. This marks Sri Lanka's biggest-ever Test defeat going past their previous loss by an inning and 239 runs against India in Nagpur, 2017. 

15:16 (IST), Feb, 01

Australia have completed a dominant victory in the first Test of the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy, 2025, winning by an innings and 242 runs to take an unassailable 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Very few would have expected the game to end this swiftly, but such was the one-sided nature of the contest, with Australia completely outclassing Sri Lanka in all departments.

15:13 (IST), Feb, 01

0
Overs54.3
Score247 - 10

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, OUT! CAUGHT! That's it, it's all over and Australia have picked up their fourth biggest Test win ever, winning by an innings and 242 runs! Matthew Kuhnemann tosses this one up and pushes it wider of the off stump. Jeffrey Vandersay having got a couple of hits away and now reached his fifty, throws his hands at it and miscues it completely. The ball gets sliced up around backward point where Mitchell Starc settles under it and picks up a catch. Kuhnemann picks up his fourth wicket of the innings and his 9th in the match.

15:12 (IST), Feb, 01

6
Overs54.2
Score247 - 9

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, SIX AND FIFTY FOR VANDERSAY! This is an outstanding fightback from the spinner. Gets his maiden half-century! Flighted full, around off, Jeffrey Vandersay clubs it over mid off and manages to clear the distance on the full this time. An annoying knock to say the least for the Aussies! 

15:12 (IST), Feb, 01

4
Overs54.1
Score241 - 9

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, FOUR! Smoked! Tossed up, around off, Jeffrey Vandersay lofts it over mid off for a boundary. 

15:10 (IST), Feb, 01

0
Overs53.6
Score237 - 9

Todd Murphy to Asitha Fernando, Nagging length, around middle, Asitha Fernando gets his bat ahead and blocks it well.

15:10 (IST), Feb, 01

0
Overs53.5
Score237 - 9

Todd Murphy to Asitha Fernando, Quicker, full and at the stumps, Asitha Fernando clips it to square leg off his pads.

15:10 (IST), Feb, 01

0
Overs53.4
Score237 - 9

Todd Murphy to Asitha Fernando, Full, just outside off, Asitha Fernando is solid in defence. 

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15:09 (IST), Feb, 01

1
Overs53.3
Score237 - 9

Todd Murphy to Jeffrey Vandersay, Short and around off, Jeffrey Vandersay works it through covers and takes the run. 

15:09 (IST), Feb, 01

0
Overs53.2
Score236 - 9

Todd Murphy to Jeffrey Vandersay, Short and angling into the batter, Jeffrey Vandersay taps it back to the bowler. 

15:08 (IST), Feb, 01

0
Overs53.1
Score236 - 9

Todd Murphy to Jeffrey Vandersay, Comes back into the attack and lands it full, just outside off, Jeffrey Vandersay looks to reverse sweep but misses onto the pads.

15:07 (IST), Feb, 01

0
Overs52.6
Score236 - 9

Nathan Lyon to Asitha Fernando, Sees the over through. This is pitching full and on middle, Asitha Fernando covers the line and bead bats it. 

15:07 (IST), Feb, 01

0
Overs52.5
Score236 - 9

Nathan Lyon to Asitha Fernando, Full, outside off, Asitha Fernando blocks.

15:06 (IST), Feb, 01

0
Overs52.4
Score236 - 9

Nathan Lyon to Asitha Fernando, Full, around off, Asitha Fernando taps it in front of silly point.

15:06 (IST), Feb, 01

1
Overs52.3
Score236 - 9

Nathan Lyon to Jeffrey Vandersay, Tossed up, on off, Jeffrey Vandersay steps out and works it through covers. Picks up a single.

15:06 (IST), Feb, 01

0
Overs52.2
Score235 - 9

Nathan Lyon to Jeffrey Vandersay, Full, on middle, Jeffrey Vandersay blocks it across.

15:05 (IST), Feb, 01

4
Overs52.1
Score235 - 9

Nathan Lyon to Jeffrey Vandersay, Josh Inglis has done all the hard yards but the batters run four. Full, around off, Jeffrey Vandersay just taps it through the vacant cover region. The ball slowly dribbles towards the fence while Nathan Lyon gives it a chase. Josh Inglis sprints faster from around cover-point and dives ahead to flick the ball in just an inch before it crashes into the ropes. 

15:04 (IST), Feb, 01

1
Overs51.6
Score231 - 9

Mitchell Starc to Jeffrey Vandersay, Goes full and straight now, Vandersay takes the front leg out and hits it towards mid-wicket where Travis Head makes a half stop and the ball deflects to mid on. The batters scamper through for the single as the other fielder misses the shy at the bowler's end.

15:03 (IST), Feb, 01

0
Overs51.5
Score230 - 9

Mitchell Starc to Jeffrey Vandersay, Banged in short again but the line is over leg stump, Vandersay ducks under it easily.

15:02 (IST), Feb, 01

2
Overs51.4
Score230 - 9

Mitchell Starc to Jeffrey Vandersay, Nice and full, outside off, Vandersay gets on the front foot and drives it away through the big gap at covers and picks up a couple of runs in the deep.

15:01 (IST), Feb, 01

0
Overs51.3
Score228 - 9

Mitchell Starc to Jeffrey Vandersay, Goes wider on the crease and goes fuller, trying to attack the off stump line, Vandersay solidly blocks it off.

15:00 (IST), Feb, 01

0
Overs51.2
Score228 - 9

Mitchell Starc to Jeffrey Vandersay, This is banged in well short now and angles it just down leg, Vandersay ducks under it well.

15:00 (IST), Feb, 01

0
Overs51.1
Score228 - 9

Mitchell Starc to Jeffrey Vandersay, Comes around the stumps and angles it in on a good length at the off pole, Vandersay stays back and blocks it off.

14:59 (IST), Feb, 01

Mitchell Starc comes back into the attack. His figures are 4-1-11-1 so far. A slight hold in play as Jeffrey Vandersay gets a few extra protective gears strapped around him. 

14:58 (IST), Feb, 01

0
Overs50.6
Score228 - 9

Nathan Lyon to Asitha Fernando, Tossed up again, around off, a bit full and Asitha makes the block.

14:57 (IST), Feb, 01

0
Overs50.5
Score228 - 9

Nathan Lyon to Asitha Fernando, Beaten! Tossed up, full and wide outside off, Asitha Fernando leans on to block but is beaten on the outside edge.

14:57 (IST), Feb, 01

0
Overs50.4
Score228 - 9

Nathan Lyon to Asitha Fernando, Flighted delivery, on a nagging length and outside off, Asitha gets across and watchfully defends it under the eyes.

14:56 (IST), Feb, 01

6
Overs50.3
Score228 - 9

Nathan Lyon to Asitha Fernando, SIX! Oh, Asitha Fernando with a lusty blow now! Flighted up around off, Asitha goes down on one knee and heaves it with the turn, flat and over cow corner for a biggie.

14:56 (IST), Feb, 01

0
Overs50.2
Score222 - 9

Nathan Lyon to Asitha Fernando, Nagging length, bowled in and around off, Asitha prods halfway and keeps it out.

14:55 (IST), Feb, 01

0
Overs50.1
Score222 - 9

Nathan Lyon to Asitha Fernando, Nice and full on off, turning in, Asitha Fernando gets forward well and blocks it down the deck.

14:55 (IST), Feb, 01

0
Overs49.6
Score222 - 9

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, Full, on middle and leg, blocked off.

14:54 (IST), Feb, 01

6
Overs49.5
Score222 - 9

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, SIX! Oh, that's gone all the way! Tossed up on middle, Vandersay backs away and goes inside-out, lofting it over long off for a biggie.

14:54 (IST), Feb, 01

0
Overs49.4
Score216 - 9

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, Quick and flat on off, cut away to backward point.

14:53 (IST), Feb, 01

2
Overs49.3
Score216 - 9

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, Fractionally short around off, sliding back on, hit away from the crease and through covers for a couple of runs.

14:53 (IST), Feb, 01

0
Overs49.2
Score214 - 9

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, Full and at the stumps, confidently punched away on the front foot by Vandersay.

14:52 (IST), Feb, 01

0
Overs49.1
Score214 - 9

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, Flighted up around middle, Vandersay leans on and blocks it out.

14:51 (IST), Feb, 01

0
Overs48.6
Score214 - 9

Nathan Lyon to Asitha Fernando, Pushed through flatter and around off, Asitha Fernando does well to rock back and block it off.

14:51 (IST), Feb, 01

1
Overs48.5
Score214 - 9

Nathan Lyon to Jeffrey Vandersay, Excellent batting! Tossed up outside off, Vandersay uses his feet to come down the track and pushes it to mid on for one.

14:50 (IST), Feb, 01

0
Overs48.4
Score213 - 9

Nathan Lyon to Jeffrey Vandersay, Flighted ball, wide outside off, Vandersay looks to drive against the turn but miscues it back to the bowler.

14:50 (IST), Feb, 01

4
Overs48.3
Score213 - 9

Nathan Lyon to Jeffrey Vandersay, FOUR! Up and away! Tossed up, in the slot around middle, Vandersay gets down on one knee and slogs it well wide of mid on for a boundary.

14:49 (IST), Feb, 01

0
Overs48.2
Score209 - 9

Nathan Lyon to Jeffrey Vandersay, Fractionally short again, angled into middle, Vandersay tucks it off the back foot to mid-wicket.

14:49 (IST), Feb, 01

0
Overs48.1
Score209 - 9

Nathan Lyon to Jeffrey Vandersay, Shorter in length, cutting back in from outside off, Vandersay blocks it off.

Quick ScorecardScoreBalls
J Vandersay53*47
A Fernando6*18
M Kuhnemann86/417.3 Overs
Sri Lanka Score247/1054.3 Overs

314 More Updates

See More Updates
Australia won the first Test against Sri Lanka by an innings and 242 runs inside four days on Saturday to hand the hosts their worst Test cricket defeat.
Sri Lanka were all out for 247 in the second innings after being forced to follow on earlier in the day, with another four wickets from Australian left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann taking his match total to nine.
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