Sri Lanka v Australia: Tourists claim series whitewash after nine-wicket win

Well, that’s it from Galle, where Australia has cruised to a nine-wicket win in the second Test inside four days to secure a 2-0 series victory.

Series win: Australian captain Steve Smith poses with the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy on Sunday.Credit: AP

However, the tour isn’t over, with the first of two one-day internationals in Colombo beginning on Wednesday.

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Winners are grinners: the Australian team celebrates in Galle.Credit: AP

Under the gaze of the venerable Dutch fort, Australia finally conquered Sri Lanka after a siege lasting eight days over two Test matches that will take the tourists into June’s world championship final as firm favourites to defend their title.

Nathan Lyon (4-84) took the crucial wicket on the final morning, before Usman Khawaja (27 not out), Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne (26 not out) made quick enough work of the target to end the match well before the lunch break by a nine-wicket margin.

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Australia have successfully chased down the 75 runs required for victory to claim a 2-0 series win in Sri Lanka.

Travis Head (20) was the only batsman to fall, leaving Usman Khawaja (27 not out) and Marnus Labuschagne (26 not out) to get the job done and secure Australia their first series win in this country for 14 years.

Happy days: Marnus Labuschagne helped Australia to a series victory.Credit: Getty Images

Victory came off 17.4 overs.

This was a fine series victory, particularly considering skipper Pat Cummins and fellow fast bowler Josh Hazlewood were absent.

Steve Smith, with centuries in both Tests, was superb, both with bat and tactically.

“They just couldn’t have played any better, Australia,” former Australian batsman Greg Blewett told Seven.

Blewett said it was pleasing to see several debutants through the Test series against India and now Sri Lanka, Cooper Connolly the latest.

“It is common sense you have to try and create some depth. That’s exactly what the Australian selectors are trying to achieve right now,” he said.

“Doesn’t matter what sport you play, it is a squad mentality. The Australian Test team has been so settled for a long period of time, but now there’s got to be some sort of transition, we know that. Probably another few players will retire after next year’s Ashes series at home. It’s really pleasing to see younger players or more inexperienced players coming into the Australian side, just to get a taste of it.”

Marnus Labuschagne has had an aggressive tone to his batting this innings, so far clipping 22 from 28 deliveries. The latest a classy flick through wide mid-on for four. Nine now needed for victory.

Attack mode: Marnus Labuschagne has had an aggressive intent through this innings. Credit: Getty Images

Former Australian batsman Simon Katich says the statistics tell the tale of this series.

“When you have five centuries against zero centuries from Sri Lanka, it shows the visiting side deserve to win,” Katich told Seven during coverage of day four.

“Alien conditions for Australia. They’ve come from the Australian summer where they had bounce, grass, not even a blade of grass on the pitch then, all of a sudden, to turn their mindset and make sure they play according to the situation. For me, the series was set up in the first session of the first Test match.”

Marnus Labuschagne displays great wrist work with an in-out cover drive for four against the left-arm spin of Jayasuriya, taking Australia past 50. Only 23 now needed for victory.

Marnus Labuschagne is potentially playing for his future, a lean two years with only one Test ton culminating in the No.3 batsman fighting to retain his spot. It’s been a disappointing tour for the South African-born Queenslander.

“Intent is going to be key for Labuschagne. Short of runs in the entire series. In fact, in the last year or so,” former Australian batsman Simon Katich told Seven. A good 20 not out here can retain his spot for maybe the next Test match, the Test Championship final. Sri Lanka know it is time to squeeze Marnus Labuschagne.”