Sri Lanka beat Australia claiming only the second test victory over them

First Test, Pallekele, day five

Sri Lanka 117 & 353: Mendis 176, Starc 4-84

Australia 203 & 161: Smith 55, Herath 5-54

Sri Lanka won by 106 runs

27 tests, 12 test series and 34 years it took for the lankan tigers to beat the mighty kangaroos for only the 2nd time in history of test cricket and it wasn't also less than a miracle after showing dismal performance at day 1. 

11 september, 1999 was the only other time australia got beaten by Sri lanka in a test match and that too when lankan team had greats in the game like Jayasuriya, Arvinda, Ranatunga, C. Vaas, Jayawardene. Although this time around the story was a little different, Aussies comin into the series as always the favorites and also ranked no. 1 test team while sri lanka on the other hand still finding the replacements of Sanga and Mahela. It was considered to be a one sided affair and the performance of sri lankan batsmen on day 1 only made the matter worse.

After bundling out for mere 117 on day 1 in home conditions it was all done and dusted for sri lanka.

It was only after the old wily fox Rangna hearth along with debutant Lakshan Sandakan bagged 4 wicket a piece that lankan felt they were back in the game. A solid start and good application was required from the lankan batsmen which has been their regular problem in past few matches.

 Although the start was not great for them in the 2^nd inning too loosing 2 wickets for 33 only but luckily for them a young man Kusal Mendis put his hands up and played a magnificent inning of 176 in only 254 balls. This fiery knock completely changed the complexion of the game and lankan team which was feeling completely down and out on the first day was looking confident for the very first time in the match.

 Even though the target of 268 was not a huge one but looking at the subcontinent conditions and history it was a tricky target. With bowlers making early inroads and reducing the visitors to 83 for 3 on day 4, one could expect a fascinating 5^th day cricket and it proved to be exactly that.

Australians were looking for a partnership but wickets kept tumbling one after another, specially after the fall of Mitch Marsh, Visitors completely lost the plot. With a competing position of 139/4 to 157/8 it seemd all lost for them. Peter nevill and Steve o’Keefe tried to bite the time by making just 4 runs of 178 balls making a world record but that also couldn’t prevent the host from wining their first test match after 17 long years and 2^nd only in almost 35 years. It was again the most experienced bowler R.Herath for them doing the damage with taking yet another fifer.

Now it will be a fascinating to see how aussies react to this shocking loss. Stay tuned for further updates.