Australia v Sri Lanka Test 2 Day 4: Steve Smith leads tourists

Australia has crushed Sri Lanka for the second time in two Tests to secure its first whitewash win in Asia in nearly two decades.

Usman Khawaja and Australia made light work of the chase. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Australia has clinched a Test series win in Sri Lanka for the first time since 2011 after clinically sealing the second Test at Galle International Stadium on Sunday.

It is Australia’s first whitewash win in Asia since 2006, when it beat Bangladesh 2-0.

The Aussies wrapped up a nine-wicket win before lunch, easing to a target of 75 after bowling the hosts out for 231 in their second innings on a pitch that by this point was turning dramatically.

Under pressure Marnus Labuschagne dodged a second cheap dismissal for the match, finishing 26 not out to be there at the end with Usman Khawaja (27 not out).

Labuschagne hit the winning run to square leg off the part-time bowling of the retiring Dimuth Karunaratne.

It is a fifth win in six Tests for Australia, with the exception being a rain-marred draw in Brisbane against India.

Steve Smith continued a fortnight of milestones by becoming the first non-wicketkeeeper to claim 200 catches in Tests for Australia, swallowing a lob at short fine leg after Nathan Lyon’s bounce forced Kusal Mendis into an error after the Sri Lankan gloveman had posted his second half-century of the match.

After a couple of near misses, Beau Webster picked up his second wicket of the innings, bowling Lahiru Kumara for six as the tailender tried to slog across the line.

Travis Head made a swift 20 before edging one from Prabath Jayasuriya, but that was as good as things got for Sri Lanka.

Debutant Cooper Connolly’s wait for a first-class wicket continues after he was employed for just five wicketless overs across the Test.

It marked a redemption of sorts for stand-in captain Smith, who had been at the helm in 2016 when Australia was swept 3-0 on these shores.

Originally published as Australia v Sri Lanka Test 2 Day 4: Steve Smith leads tourists