Sri Lanka vs Australia 1st-Test Results

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!

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.

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.

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.

It's time for the Presentation Ceremony ...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, OUT! c Mitchell Starc b Matthew Kuhnemann.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.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, Six!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!

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

Todd Murphy to Asitha Fernando, No run.Nagging length, around middle, Asitha Fernando gets his bat ahead and blocks it well.

Todd Murphy to Asitha Fernando, No run.Quicker, full and at the stumps, Asitha Fernando clips it to square leg off his pads.

Todd Murphy to Asitha Fernando, No run.Full, just outside off, Asitha Fernando is solid in defence.

Todd Murphy to Jeffrey Vandersay, 1 run.Short and around off, Jeffrey Vandersay works it through covers and takes the run.

Todd Murphy to Jeffrey Vandersay, No run.Short and angling into the batter, Jeffrey Vandersay taps it back to the bowler.

Todd Murphy to Jeffrey Vandersay, No run.Comes back into the attack and lands it full, just outside off, Jeffrey Vandersay looks to reverse sweep but misses onto the pads.

Nathan Lyon to Asitha Fernando, No run.Sees the over through. This is pitching full and on middle, Asitha Fernando covers the line and bead bats it.

Nathan Lyon to Asitha Fernando, No run.Full, outside off, Asitha Fernando blocks.

Nathan Lyon to Asitha Fernando, No run.Full, around off, Asitha Fernando taps it in front of silly point.

Nathan Lyon to Jeffrey Vandersay, 1 run.Tossed up, on off, Jeffrey Vandersay steps out and works it through covers. Picks up a single.

Nathan Lyon to Jeffrey Vandersay, No run.Full, on middle, Jeffrey Vandersay blocks it across.

Nathan Lyon to Jeffrey Vandersay, 4 runs.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.

Mitchell Starc to Jeffrey Vandersay, 1 run.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.

Mitchell Starc to Jeffrey Vandersay, No run.Banged in short again but the line is over leg stump, Vandersay ducks under it easily.

Mitchell Starc to Jeffrey Vandersay, 2 runs.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.

Mitchell Starc to Jeffrey Vandersay, No run.Goes wider on the crease and goes fuller, trying to attack the off stump line, Vandersay solidly blocks it off.

Mitchell Starc to Jeffrey Vandersay, No run.This is banged in well short now and angles it just down leg, Vandersay ducks under it well.

Mitchell Starc to Jeffrey Vandersay, No run.Comes around the stumps and angles it in on a good length at the off pole, Vandersay stays back and blocks it off.

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.

Nathan Lyon to Asitha Fernando, No run.Tossed up again, around off, a bit full and Asitha makes the block.

Nathan Lyon to Asitha Fernando, No run.Beaten! Tossed up, full and wide outside off, Asitha Fernando leans on to block but is beaten on the outside edge.

Nathan Lyon to Asitha Fernando, No run.Flighted delivery, on a nagging length and outside off, Asitha gets across and watchfully defends it under the eyes.

Nathan Lyon to Asitha Fernando, Six!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.

Nathan Lyon to Asitha Fernando, No run.Nagging length, bowled in and around off, Asitha prods halfway and keeps it out.

Nathan Lyon to Asitha Fernando, No run.Nice and full on off, turning in, Asitha Fernando gets forward well and blocks it down the deck.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, No run.Full, on middle and leg, blocked off.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, Six!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.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, No run.Quick and flat on off, cut away to backward point.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, 2 runs.Fractionally short around off, sliding back on, hit away from the crease and through covers for a couple of runs.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, No run.Full and at the stumps, confidently punched away on the front foot by Vandersay.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, No run.Flighted up around middle, Vandersay leans on and blocks it out.

Nathan Lyon to Asitha Fernando, No run.Pushed through flatter and around off, Asitha Fernando does well to rock back and block it off.

Nathan Lyon to Jeffrey Vandersay, 1 run.Excellent batting! Tossed up outside off, Vandersay uses his feet to come down the track and pushes it to mid on for one.

Nathan Lyon to Jeffrey Vandersay, No run.Flighted ball, wide outside off, Vandersay looks to drive against the turn but miscues it back to the bowler.

Nathan Lyon to Jeffrey Vandersay, Four!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.

Nathan Lyon to Jeffrey Vandersay, No run.Fractionally short again, angled into middle, Vandersay tucks it off the back foot to mid-wicket.

Nathan Lyon to Jeffrey Vandersay, No run.Shorter in length, cutting back in from outside off, Vandersay blocks it off.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Asitha Fernando, No run.Asitha Fernando survives and it will be a wicket-maiden for Matthew Kuhnemann. Nagging length around off, Asitha leaves it late and the ball goes off the under side of the willow and in front of Steven Smith at first slip.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Asitha Fernando, No run.Flighted ball, a bit full and attacking middle, Asitha watchfully blocks it off.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Asitha Fernando, No run.Tossed up, wide of the off stump line, Asitha leans on and makes a leave.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Asitha Fernando, No run.Drifting into middle and leg, Asitha Fernando stays tentative but blocks it off.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Asitha Fernando, No run.Bowled quite full and on off, Asitha Fernando leans on to block.

Asitha Fernando is the last batter to walk in for Sri Lanka.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Nishan Peiris, OUT! b Matthew Kuhnemann.OUT! BOWLED'EM! Matthew Kuhnemann comes over the wicket now to the left-hander and tosses the ball up on a good length and around off. Gets the ball to turn back in sharply, not much but enough. Nishan Peiris hops onto the back foot to block but is beaten past the outside edge and the ball knocks over the off stump. Australia one wicket away now from victory!

Nathan Lyon to Jeffrey Vandersay, No run.Quicker now, and a bit full on off, Vandersay gets forward to defend.

Nathan Lyon to Jeffrey Vandersay, No run.Throws it up on a length outside off and gets it to turn back into the stumps, Vandersay easily blocks it off.

Nathan Lyon to Jeffrey Vandersay, No run.Dragged length, angling into middle and leg, tucked away down to short fine leg.

Nathan Lyon to Jeffrey Vandersay, Four!FOUR! Even better! Length ball on middle, Vandersay brings out the reverse again and slaps it away in front of point for another boundary.

Nathan Lyon to Jeffrey Vandersay, No run.Slows it up and flights it around off, Vandersay leans on and plays it out.

Nathan Lyon to Jeffrey Vandersay, Four!FOUR! Oh, that's a shot alright! Tossed up full and around off, Vandersay brings out the reverse sweep and nails it wide of first slip for a boundary.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Nishan Peiris, No run.On a dragged length and angled just across off, Peiris hops back and plays it out towards point.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Nishan Peiris, No run.Flatter delivery on off, Nishan Peiris presses back and defends it out.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, 1 run.Short and wide, turning further away, Vandersay backs away and has to reach for it before tapping it through covers for one.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, No run.Full and on off, a bit more energy put into that delivery, Vandersay solidly blocks it off.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, No run.Drifted into middle and leg, Vandersay just nudges it away into the leg side.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, No run.A huge, huge appeal for LBW but turned down. Matthew Kuhnemann feels this was pad first and so does Travis Head who is fielding close in and Steven Smith does review it. This is bowled on a length and flatter too around middle, Jeffrey Vandersay rocks back to defend and seems to have got an inside edge onto the pads. The third umpire is called in and on the very first replay, it is confirmed. NOT OUT!

Nathan Lyon to Nishan Peiris, No run.Maiden! Flighted up on middle, Nishan Peiris keeps it out.

Nathan Lyon to Nishan Peiris, No run.Beaten! Flighted up on off, this one grips and rips away, Nishan Peiris plays down the line as the ball zips past the outside edge.

Nathan Lyon to Nishan Peiris, No run.Bowls it shorter now and around off, Peiris backs away to cut but jams it out wide of point.

Nathan Lyon to Nishan Peiris, No run.Lobs this one up on middle and leg, looking to turn it across, Peiris makes another solid block.

Nathan Lyon to Nishan Peiris, No run.Nagging length on off, drops on the batter as well, Nishan Peiris stays back and keeps it out again.

Nathan Lyon to Nishan Peiris, No run.Nicely tossed up on off, Nishan Peiris leans on to block it out.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, No run.Flatter one, angled in with the arm on the pads, Vandersay blocks it off.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, No run.On middle and leg, Vandersay gets inside the line and sweeps it straight to short fine leg.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, Four!FOUR! That's a hit-me ball! Way too short and wide, sitting up for the batter, Vandersay rocks back and cuts it firmly through the point region for another boundary.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, Four!FOUR! That's nicely done! Too full and drifting on the pads, Vandersay gets down on one knee and sweeps it well behind square leg for a boundary.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, No run.Flatter one on middle, slow too, punched away off the back foot wide of mid off.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, No run.Nagging length on middle, sliding on with the arm, Jeffrey Vandersay watchfully blocks it out.

Nathan Lyon to Nishan Peiris, No run.A wicket-maiden! Floated up and drifted into middle and leg, Peiris blocks it on the front foot.

Nathan Lyon to Nishan Peiris, No run.On a dragged length and around off, Nishan Peiris punches it with the turn and straight to covers.

Nathan Lyon to Nishan Peiris, No run.Nicely flighted, angled into middle and off and turning it away, another solid block off the front foot from Peiris.

Nathan Lyon to Nishan Peiris, No run.Drifted in full and on middle and leg, Peiris leans on to make the block.

Nathan Lyon to Nishan Peiris, No run.No hat-trick! Around the wicket to the left-hander and that's not the best delivery, short and outside off, Nishan Peiris stays back and punches it away to cover-point.

Nishan Peiris walks in at number 10 for Sri Lanka and will face the Hat-trick ball from Nathan Lyon.

Nathan Lyon to Prabath Jayasuriya, OUT! b Nathan Lyon.OUT! CLEANS HIM UP! Nathan Lyon comes over the wicket and tosses the ball up wide outside off, a bit full and right on the rough. There is a huge explosion of dust and the ball turns back in sharply whilst keeping a bit low as well. Prabath Jayasuriya though pre-meditates the slog and gets a big stride across but is beaten all ends up as the ball castles into the off pole. Nathan Lyon on a hat-trick now!

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, No run.Fuller in length and drifted into middle and leg, Vandersay solidly blocks it off.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, No run.Well played! Nagging length on off turning away with some extra bounce, Vandersay backs away and keeps it down off the back foot.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, No run.Tossed up, full on middle and leg, Jeffrey Vandersay leans on to make the block.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, Four!FOUR! Crisp shot to get off the mark! A bit short from Matthew Kuhnemann around off, Vandersay cracks his punch through cover-point for a boundary.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Jeffrey Vandersay, No run.Beaten! Tossed up, wide outside off, Jeffrey Vandersay looks to block but is beaten past the outside edge.

Matthew Kuhnemann to Prabath Jayasuriya, 1 run.Nice and full on off, driven back past the diving bowler for a single down to long off.

Jeffrey Vandersay walks in at number 9 for Sri Lanka.

Nathan Lyon to Kusal Mendis, OUT! st Alex Carey b Nathan Lyon.OUT! STUMPED! Oh, Alex Carey almost makes a mess of it but comes in clutch at the right moment. Lovely delivery from Nathan Lyon, flighted up outside off, not all that full and draws Kusal Mendis out of his crease. The ball then slides on straight rather than turning in and Mendis is undone by it. The ball beats the outside edge and Carey tries collecting it at an awkward height but uses his chest to keep the ball under control and whips off the bails. The third umpire checks it thoroughly and finds that the keeper did glove it exactly when the bails came off and it will be OUT.

Out? Surely looks like it! Australians are celebrating and Kusal Mendis has started to walk already. Alex Carey despite not cleanly collecting the ball behind the stumps manages to clutch it at the right time as he knocks the bails off. The third umpire goes through multiple replays and confirms it to be OUT!

Nathan Lyon to Kusal Mendis, Four!FOUR! No slip in place and that's easy pickings! Tossed up around off, Mendis brings out the reverse sweep and plays it very fine into the deep third fence.

Nathan Lyon to Kusal Mendis, No run.Nicely tossed up, around off, Mendis leans across to make the block.

Nathan Lyon to Kusal Mendis, Four!FOUR! Nicely hit! Floated up, fuller and around off, Kusal Mendis gets a good stride out and sweeps it hard and to the right of deep mid-wicket for a boundary.