Sri Lanka whitewash Australia after Rangana Herath takes seven wickets

Cape Town – Australia have conceded their No 1 ranking to India after Sri Lanka made a clean sweep of the three-Test series in Colombo on Wednesday.

Silva had not managed to reach double figures in his previous five innings during the series – his aggregate was just 18 – while he did not open the innings after suffering a hand injury while fielding on the third day.

Sri Lanka declared on 347 for eight to set the tourists a target of 324 but Australia never seriously threatened despite an opening stand of 77 between Shaun Marsh and David Warner as they were bowled out for 160. “Apologies for what we have done, it’s not been good enough”. “From there we can attack”. He was unbeaten on 44 at the close and batting with Suranga Lakmal, who was yet to score.

Playing in just his third Test, de Silva smashed 10 boundaries during his 74-ball knock, after scoring a century in the first innings.

As regards Sri Lanka, it has been a magnificent effort by Aneglo Mathews’ side.

It also helped his concentration.

“But I think that in a way helped me because I knew it wasn’t easy for me to drive the ball”.

Chandimal and Rangana Herath added 73 runs for the eighth wicket, deepening the frustration for Australia. India will need to be watchful as its team selection wasn’t up to the mark in the last test. India had dropped Cheteswar Pujara and picked up the inconsistent Rohit Sharma who again failed to prove his selection.

De Silva and Chandimal, who scored 194 and 175 runs in the match respectively – had to absorb huge pressure (that of falling wickets) in both innings.

The visitors claimed three top-order wickets in Tuesday’s morning session, leaving Sri Lanka in a precarious position at 109-4 at lunch.

Overnight batsman Dimuth Karunaratne (22) fell to a clever piece of stumping by Peter Nevill off the bowling of Nathan Lyon who trapped Silva leg before in his next over but the batsman used the review option to get the umpire’s decision overturned.

The home team eventually posted 355, with Starc (5/63) the standout Aussie bowler and Lyon (3/110) toiling for a mammoth 50 overs.