Australia’s commanding win over Sri Lanka in the first Test of the two-match series on February 1 was an emphatic statement of their dominance in Test cricket. With an innings victory by 242 runs, Australia not only secured a resounding win on Sri Lankan soil but also set a new record for their largest-ever margin of victory in Test cricket on Asian soil. The previous record, a win by an innings and 127 runs against India in 1959 in New Delhi, was eclipsed as Australia stamped their authority on this game.
The match was essentially decided by Australia's powerful batting display in the first innings, which set a target that Sri Lanka simply could not overcome. With a mammoth total of 654/6 declared, Australia put up one of their highest totals in recent years. The highlight of this dominating performance was Usman Khawaja's career-best double century, which marked his first double ton in Test cricket. His resilience and skill at the crease were complemented by Josh Inglis, who marked his Test debut with a solid century, furthering his credentials as a promising wicketkeeper-batsman. Steve Smith, Australia's stand-in captain, also contributed a vital century to the total, and in the process, crossed the significant milestone of 10,000 Test runs, joining an elite group of players in this regard. This stellar performance with the bat put Sri Lanka under immense pressure, leaving them with little room for error.
When it came to bowling, Australia’s spin duo of Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann proved to be the difference-makers. Kuhnemann, in particular, was in sensational form, picking up 9 wickets for 149 runs, which was his best-ever performance in Test cricket. His match-winning contribution came after he had already taken a 5-wicket haul in the first innings, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure. Lyon, not to be overshadowed, supported him admirably, with both spinners running through Sri Lanka’s batting line-up in both innings.
On Day 4, Australia’s spinners dismantled Sri Lanka’s batting attack with precision, and 15 wickets fell throughout the day. Sri Lanka began their second innings at 136/5, and from there, their hopes of avoiding defeat were dashed quickly. They lost eight wickets in the first session of the day before lunch and another seven after lunch. Lyon and Kuhnemann exploited the turning pitch expertly, providing Australia with a clinical victory. While Sri Lanka’s Dinesh Chandimal fought valiantly with a composed 72 in the first innings, it was ultimately not enough. In the second innings, Jeffrey Vandersay played an entertaining knock of 53 off 47 balls, showing some resistance with a counterattacking half-century, but it proved to be little more than a brief interruption to Australia’s momentum.
Australia’s clinical win is a continuation of their recent dominance in Test cricket. Having recently triumphed in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, this victory further cements their status as one of the best teams in the format. Additionally, this win secured their place in the final of the 2025 World Test Championship, where they will face South Africa, setting up what promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of the world's most formidable teams.
This victory against Sri Lanka is a reminder of Australia’s prowess in Test cricket, a team that has continually adapted to the challenges of playing in diverse conditions and has maintained a level of excellence that is difficult to rival. The victory in Sri Lanka, combined with their performances in the recent past, positions Australia as a formidable force heading into the final of the World Test Championship, where they will hope to add another prestigious title to their ever-growing legacy.
