Perera bags six as Sri Lanka clinch series

Herath had tormented Australia in the first test at Pallekele too, exposing the visitors’ vulnerability against spin bowling and claiming nine wickets in Sri Lanka’s 106-run victory.

Speaking exclusively over his mobile from Sri Lanka, the 38-year-old former left-arm fast bowler says, “the important of my hat-trick cannot be devalued because I removed the top order batsmen (Trevor Gripper, Murray Goodwin and Neil Johnson) and that too on the very first day of the Test and it was in my very first three deliveries of the match”.

Dean Jones has often wondered why Australia don’t pick batsmen for sub-continental Test tours who are better suited against spin, and Steve Smith is now open to the idea.

“In Australia traditionally, we get taught to get over the top of the ball and, in Australia, I think you need to get that shape to try and do the batsman in drift and shape in the air”. “No-one likes losing Test matches for your country, but the thing is now we’ve had a good chat, the belief’s still there in the group”.

It was also the tourists’ lowest score in Asia since they were skittled for 93 on a bad wicket in Mumbai in 2004. Mitchell Starc, who took five wickets in the first innings, then dismissed Dinuth Karunaratne (7) and in-form Kusal Mendis (7) for 2-17 at the interval.

Only Mitchell Marsh, who was the last man out for 27, offered much resistance for the Australians during the morning’s play.

Herath (4 for 35) and Dilruwan Perera (4 for 29) did most of the damage as Australia was bowled out for its lowest score in 28 Tests against Sri Lanka. If we can keep improving, keep learning from our mistakes in the first two Test matches then we’re going the right way.

Cape Town – Australia spinner Nathan Lyon says there is nothing wrong with his side’s technique when it comes to bowling spin, but that he and his fellow tweakers need to attack the stumps more aggressively.

The match ended with a day to spare on Friday as the Sri Lanka youth gear up to play three Youth ODIs beginning from Wednesday.

He dismissed Adam Voges, Peter Nevill and Starc off consecutive deliveries to put Australia on the mat.

Australia are now trailing 1-0 in the series following their massive defeat by 106 runs against the hosts in the opening match at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. “A moment of pride in Sri Lanka Cricket”, the President said in a Twitter message. The final match is due to be held in Colombo from August 13. Smith (30), who used his feet well against the spinners during his 58-ball stay, soon followed, giving a catch to backward short leg.