Australia's Historic Test Series Win in Sri Lanka Under Steve Smith: A 14-Year Wait Ends
Australia ended a 14-year wait by winning a Test series in Sri Lanka under Steve Smith's captaincy, showcasing resilience and skill in challenging conditions.
This is undoubtedly one of those historic wins, one that Australia will never forget in the history. For after a gap of 14 long years, Steve Smith led them to a Test series victory in Sri Lanka, marking the end of the much-talked-about drought, while show of resilience and skill in the squad against the challenges of the subcontinent, where their test was relatively a hard-fought one.
Squad for the Series :
| Sri Lanka | Australia |
|---|---|
| Dhananjaya de Silva (c) | Steve Smith (c) |
| Dinesh Chandimal (wk) | Travis Head (vc) |
| Sonal Dinusha | Sean Abbott |
| Asitha Fernando | Scott Boland |
| Oshada Fernando | Alex Carey (wk) |
| Vishwa Fernando | Cooper Connolly |
| Prabath Jayasuriya | Josh Inglis (wk) |
| Dimuth Karunaratne | Usman Khawaja |
| Lahiru Kumara | Sam Konstas |
| Angelo Mathews | Matthew Kuhnemann |
| Kamindu Mendis | Marnus Labuschagne |
| Kusal Mendis (wk) | Nathan Lyon |
| Ramesh Mendis | Nathan McSweeney |
| Pathum Nissanka | Todd Murphy |
| Nishan Peiris | Mitchell Starc |
| Milan Rathnayake | Beau Webster |
| Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk) | |
| Lahiru Udara | |
| Jeffrey Vandersay |
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Summary of First test and Second test:
| Match | 1st Test (29 January–1 February 2025) | 2nd Test (6–9 February 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Venue | Galle International Stadium, Galle | Galle International Stadium, Galle |
| Result | Australia won by an innings and 242 runs | Australia won by 9 wickets |
| Australia’s Total | 654/6d (154 overs) | 414 (106.4 overs) |
| Sri Lanka’s Total | 165 (52.2 overs) | 257 (97.4 overs) |
| Sri Lanka 2nd Innings | 247 (54.3 overs, f/o) | 231 (68.1 overs) |
| Australia's 2nd Innings | - | 75/1 (17.4 overs) |
| Key Performers (Australia) | Usman Khawaja 232, Alex Carey 156, Mitchell Starc (700 wickets) | Alex Carey 156, Mitchell Starc 3/37 |
| Key Performers (Sri Lanka) | Dinesh Chandimal 72, Jeffrey Vandersay 53 | Kusal Mendis 85*, Angelo Mathews 76, Prabath Jayasuriya 5/151 |
| Top Partnerships | Khawaja-Smith 266 runs for 3rd wicket | Carey-Mendis 120* runs for 4th wicket |
| Player of the Match | Usman Khawaja (Aus) | Alex Carey (Aus) |
| Notable Records | Khawaja’s first double century, Smith’s 10,000th Test run, Starc’s 700th wicket | Smith’s 197th & 200th catch, Carey’s highest score by an Australian WK |
| World Test Championship Points | Australia 12, Sri Lanka 0 | Australia 12, Sri Lanka 0 |
| Umpires | Chris Gaffaney (NZ), Adrian Holdstock (SA) | Adrian Holdstock (SA), Joel Wilson (WI) |
| Miscellaneous | - Rain washed out Day 3, Nishan Peiris 0/189 (worst bowling by SL) | Cooper Connolly’s debut, Dimuth Karunaratne's 100th and last Test |
Performance of the Series :
| Moment | Details |
|---|---|
| Australia Wins First Test | Australia takes a dominant lead in the series with a commanding win in the first Test, setting the tone for the series. |
| Steve Smith’s Century in First Test | Captain Steve Smith scores a crucial century, leading Australia’s charge in the first Test. |
| Australia’s Spin Dominance | Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann shine with the ball, taking key wickets throughout the series. |
| Alex Carey’s Match-winning 156 | Alex Carey scores a brilliant 156 in the second Test, helping Australia to a comfortable position in the series-clinching match. |
| Australia Clinches Series Victory | Australia secures the series with a 9-wicket victory in the second Test, winning 2-0 for their first series win in Sri Lanka in 14 years. |
| Sri Lanka’s Resilience | Despite heavy losses, Kusal Mendis and Dimuth Karunaratne display resilience with the bat, trying to keep Sri Lanka competitive. |
| Australia’s Fast Bowling Impact | Mitchell Starc contribute crucial breakthroughs, providing balance to Australia’s attack alongside spinners. |
| Kuhnemann’s Key Wickets | Matthew Kuhnemann takes 16 wickets in the series, playing a crucial role in dismantling Sri Lanka’s batting lineup. |
| Final Day of the Second Test | Australia wraps up the series victory by chasing down a small target, sealing a 9-wicket victory. |
| Historic Win for Steve Smith | Steve Smith’s leadership is widely praised as Australia wins their first Test series in Sri Lanka in 14 years. |
What characterized Australia's 14-year Test cricket dominance is their consistence, resilience, and exceptional performances in every series they played. Really, this streak included, perhaps, something more key victories over the world's top-ranked teams, individual brilliance, and team efforts that fostered a clearer impression of being the world's benchmark in cricket.
About the Author
A passionate cricket writer who lives and breathes the game, I aim to capture the drama, skill, and spirit that make cricket truly timeless. From analysing tactical battles in Test matches to celebrating game-changing moments in T20 internationals, my work blends storytelling with sharp insight. Whether it is profiling rising stars or revisiting classic performances, I strive to bring fans closer to the action, one article at a time.
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