In a historic encounter at Galle International Stadium, Australia delivered a record-breaking performance against Sri Lanka, securing victory by an innings and 242 runs. This win not only marked Australia’s largest Test triumph in Asia but also handed Sri Lanka their most significant defeat in Test history.
Match Overview
| Date |
Venue |
Result |
| January 29 – February 1, 2025 |
Galle International Stadium |
Australia won by an innings and 242 runs |
Australia’s Batting Masterclass
Australia’s first innings was a showcase of batting excellence, culminating in a formidable total of 654/6 declared. The innings featured standout performances from several key players:
- Usman Khawaja: The opener achieved his maiden double century, scoring 232 runs.
- Steve Smith: Serving as stand-in captain, Smith contributed a commanding 141 runs.
- Josh Inglis: On his Test debut, Inglis scored a rapid 102 runs, becoming the 21st Australian to score a century on debut.
Detailed Batting Contributions
| Batsman |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
| Usman Khawaja |
232 |
360 |
28 |
2 |
64.44 |
| Steve Smith |
141 |
242 |
16 |
1 |
58.26 |
| Josh Inglis |
102 |
90 |
12 |
3 |
113.33 |
| Travis Head |
57 |
40 |
8 |
2 |
142.50 |
Sri Lanka’s Batting Struggles
In response, Sri Lanka’s batting lineup faced significant challenges:
- First Innings: The team was dismissed for 165 runs, with Dinesh Chandimal top-scoring at 72.
- Second Innings: Following on, Sri Lanka managed 247 runs, with Jeffrey Vandersay contributing a brisk 53.
Sri Lanka’s Batting Scorecard
| Batsman |
1st Innings |
2nd Innings |
| Dinesh Chandimal |
72 |
24 |
| Jeffrey Vandersay |
8 |
53 |
| Dhananjaya de Silva |
15 |
45 |
Australia’s Bowling Dominance
Australia’s bowlers delivered exceptional performances, with spinners leading the charge:
- Matthew Kuhnemann: The left-arm spinner claimed nine wickets in the match, with figures of 5/63 in the first innings and 4/86 in the second.
- Nathan Lyon: The veteran off-spinner took seven wickets across both innings, surpassing Shane Warne’s record for the most wickets by an Australian bowler against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka, bringing his tally to 38 wickets.
Bowling Figures
| Bowler |
1st Innings |
2nd Innings |
Total Wickets |
| Matthew Kuhnemann |
5/63 |
4/86 |
9 |
| Nathan Lyon |
3/52 |
4/95 |
7 |
Key Partnerships
Australia’s innings featured significant partnerships that solidified their commanding position:
- Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith: The duo shared a 211-run partnership for the second wicket, setting a strong foundation.
- Usman Khawaja and Josh Inglis: A 150-run stand for the fifth wicket further propelled Australia’s innings.
Fielding Highlights
Australia’s fielding efforts complemented their batting and bowling dominance:
- Catches: Alex Carey, as wicketkeeper, took five catches in the match.
- Run-Outs: A direct hit from Marnus Labuschagne resulted in the dismissal of Angelo Mathews in the second innings.
Historical Context
This victory is now Australia’s fourth-largest in Test history and their most significant in Asia. For Sri Lanka, it marked their heaviest defeat in Test cricket.
Looking Ahead
As both teams prepare for the second and final Test in Colombo, Australia aims to secure a series sweep, while Sri Lanka will seek to rebound and deliver a more competitive performance.
This match not only highlighted Australia’s cricketing prowess but also underscored the challenges Sri Lanka faces in the longer format. Cricket enthusiasts will keenly anticipate how both teams adjust and compete in the upcoming Test.
Australia’s cricket tour of Sri Lanka in 2025 has been a showcase of dominance and strategic prowess. The series, comprising two Tests and two One Day Internationals (ODIs), has seen Australia assert their supremacy on Sri Lankan soil.
Series Overview
| Match Type |
Date(s) |
Venue |
Result |
| 1st Test |
Jan 29 – Feb 2, 2025 |
Galle International Stadium |
Australia won by an innings and 242 runs |
| 2nd Test |
Feb 6 – Feb 10, 2025 |
Galle International Stadium |
Upcoming |
| 1st ODI |
Feb 12, 2025 |
R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
Upcoming |
| 2nd ODI |
Feb 14, 2025 |
R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
Upcoming |
First Test Highlights
In the opening Test at Galle, Australia delivered a commanding performance, defeating Sri Lanka by an innings and 242 runs. This victory not only marked Australia’s largest Test win in Asia but also handed Sri Lanka their most significant defeat in Test history.
Batting Brilliance
Australia’s batting lineup showcased exceptional skill:
- Usman Khawaja: The opener achieved his maiden double century, scoring 232 runs.
- Steve Smith: Serving as stand-in captain, Smith contributed a commanding 141 runs.
- Josh Inglis: On his Test debut, Inglis scored a rapid 102 runs, becoming the 21st Australian to score a century on debut.
Detailed Batting Contributions
| Batsman |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
| Usman Khawaja |
232 |
360 |
28 |
2 |
64.44 |
| Steve Smith |
141 |
242 |
16 |
1 |
58.26 |
| Josh Inglis |
102 |
90 |
12 |
3 |
113.33 |
| Travis Head |
57 |
40 |
8 |
2 |
142.50 |
Bowling Mastery
Australia’s bowlers, particularly the spinners, dominated the game:
- Matthew Kuhnemann: The left-arm spinner claimed nine wickets in the match, with figures of 5/63 in the first innings and 4/86 in the second.
- Nathan Lyon: The veteran off-spinner took seven wickets across both innings, surpassing Shane Warne’s record for the most wickets by an Australian bowler against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka, bringing his tally to 38 wickets.
Bowling Figures
| Bowler |
1st Innings |
2nd Innings |
Total Wickets |
| Matthew Kuhnemann |
5/63 |
4/86 |
9 |
| Nathan Lyon |
3/52 |
4/95 |
7 |
Sri Lanka’s Response
The hosts struggled against Australia’s formidable performance:
- First Innings: Sri Lanka was dismissed for 165 runs, with Dinesh Chandimal top-scoring at 72.
- Second Innings: Following on, they managed 247 runs, with Jeffrey Vandersay contributing a brisk 53.
Sri Lanka’s Batting Scorecard
| Batsman |
1st Innings |
2nd Innings |
| Dinesh Chandimal |
72 |
24 |
| Jeffrey Vandersay |
8 |
53 |
| Dhananjaya de Silva |
15 |
45 |
Upcoming Matches
The series continues with the second Test scheduled from February 6 to February 10, 2025, at the Galle International Stadium. Following the Tests, two ODIs are set to be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on February 12 and 14, 2025.
Looking Ahead
Australia aims to maintain their momentum and secure a series sweep, while Sri Lanka will be eager to bounce back and deliver a more competitive performance in the upcoming matches. Cricket enthusiasts are keenly anticipating how both teams will adjust and compete as the series progresses.
For detailed match schedules and updates, you can visit Cricbuzz’s official series page:
