Sri Lanka vs Australia | Australia tour of Sri Lanka, 2025 | 2nd Test

The trophy is lifted by the Aussies and congratulations to Australia, for retaining the Warne-Muralidaran Trophy. This is the 7th edition of that trophy with Australia winning it for the 5th time, losing it only once in 2016, with the one in 2022 being shared. They end their Test cycle perfectly, eager to take their next battle on against South Africa in the World Test Championship final in June. But in terms of immediate future, the teams shift focus to the ODI series, added as a last-minute request, with a view to prepare for the Champions Trophy. It will be a 2-match series, both day games and it is a real surprise, given that white-ball games these days are usually played under the lights. Both matches will be at the R.Premadasa Stadium, in Colombo, with the first ODI to be played on Wednesday, 12th February, 2025. Expect a stiffer challenge from the Lankans in that format against a depleted Aussie side, resting a few players. That's all from here but you can browse other matchcentres to catch all the action from the one-off Test between Zimabwe and Ireland, and the 2nd ODI between India and England. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Now, time for a chat with STEVEN SMITH. Says that Australia played really well from the onset. Adds that the preparations were good before the series and everyone stood up to their capabilities and did as much as they could. Mentions that Mitchell Starc bowled really well, setting the tempo with the new ball and credits the spinners, Lyon and Kuhnemann, for executing their plans very well and using the conditions very well. Adds that they had a training camp in Dubai before the series predominantly for the batters to adapt to spinning conditions here and everyone had their individual plans, which they executed well. Mentions that they have such a good group and he loves to captain and is happy with the win. And he forgets that Sri Lanka collapsed in the second session on Day 1 here! Has that been so long? Ahhh... we can understand. Everyone wants to enjoy the moments after a win and wrap things up quickly. Roshan Abeysinghe quickly shifts the question to the partnership of Smith with Carey and the skipper agrees that it was an important one where Carey played really well and helped their team to put pressure back on Sri Lanka. Hopes to replicate these kind of performances in the future.

Sri Lanka's captain, Dhananjaya de Silva comes up for a chat now. Is obviously disappointed to lose a series, that too at home and admits that his team did not capitalize on opportunities. He accepts that losing the home series 2-0 is very disappointing. Mentions that the conditions were favourable for them as a home side and is disappointed to still finish on the losing side. Says they had opportunities here and there but the Aussies showed why they are in the finale of the WTC. Feels that the Lankans got the best conditions to bat in this game but put only 260 (257 to be precise) on the board, honestly saying that it was not enough to win a Test match. Admits that the second session on Day 1 was the changing moment of the game where they lost four wickets. On being asked as the reason for the success of the Aussie spinners, Dhananjaya feels that the Aussie bowlers were a lot more consistent in landing the ball in the right areas as compared to those of Sri Lanka.

Australia's skipper, STEVEN SMITH, HAS BEEN ADJUDGED THE PLAYER OF THE SERIES. We shall have the interview later.

Australia's ALEX CAREY HAS BEEN ADJUDGED THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his wonderful 156 with the bat, to go with 3 catches and a stumping. Congratulates Dimuth Karunaratne first up for a wonderful career and wishes him a great future. On his own knock, puts it down to the platform laid down by the top order and then praises Steven Smith for showing his class again. Cheekily admits that he got lucky to bat at number 5, due to the injury to Inglis. Details that he was only looking to manipulate the field with his sweeps and reverse sweeps and informs that the ball misbehaved only when it was pitched on a good length. Praises Australia's bowlers for creating chances and details that in the subcontinent, as a keeper, one does expect plenty of chances to come his or her way.

DIMUTH KARUNARATNE, having played his last Test, is called up for a chat. Manages to brave a smile despite the loss and is understandably sad for calling it quits from the game. One can sense tears swelling in his eyes, as his voice is breaking but because of the glasses worn by him, we cannot see those. Happens to everyone, with emotions taking over. A big loss for Sri Lanka, but time to move forward. Karunaratne says that he is emotional as he had a long career of about 13 years. Adds that his family is around and now he will go and help them in any way he can as he will get ample time. Talks about memorable moments of his career as he says that all the things have been memorable so far. Mentions that he had a goal of playing Test matches for Sri Lanka and scoring 10,000 Test runs. Feels that he was lucky to play cricket for Sri Lanka and thanks everyone who supported him from coaches, to his friends and to his family. Talks about the next thing he will do after retiring as he will go to Australia to learn coaching and then will look forward to be doing whatever he can for Sri Lanka. He thanks every single fan who has watched him and thanks his team players as he will miss those moments when he used to play with them. In the end, he gets a bit emotional and talks in Sinhalese to thank his fans and family.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

MITCHELL STARC of Australia is up for a chat. He says that playing away from home is one of the great challenges. Is pleased to get the job done this time around in Sri Lanka. Says that they have had a fair bit of success in the past three to four years and also highlights that they have got a good balanced squad. Appreciates his teammates for playing good cricket and also highlights that they have found ways to win the matches. Appreciates the spinners and says they have been just brilliant on this turning track. Says there's a lot to look forward to and is excited to bowl with the new Dukes ball in English conditions in the WTC Finale. Is eager to play against South Africa, having not played against them for a while.

We talked about missed opportunities. Let's go back to Day 1 of the series. Australia were going hard after the bowling and as a result, presented lot of opportunities. As many as 4-5 chances or half chances came on the opening day itself and the Lankans could not take any. That allowed the Aussies to get off the hook. And perhaps, gave them confidence to bat well in these conditions. The second Test saw a disciplined batting effort, with not too many loose strokes. Sadly for Sri Lanka, their batting improved from the first game, but the bowling did not. The captaincy was a bit defensive, with Dhananjaya de Silva concentrating on stopping the boundaries and allowing easy singles, even to new batters. That allowed partnerships to brew and eventually, the scoreboard to keep rolling.

Another game of missed opportunities for the Lankans. First, they got the advantage of winning the toss, but then blew it away by collapsing from 93/1. Then, they had Australia at 91/3 but allowed the game to drift from there. And finally, on Day 3, they were 198/5 with half an hour left in the day's play and Australia getting nervous and irritated. But the hosts collapsed once again and literally handed the game on a platter. In terms of positives, Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis stood out for the hosts while Mathews revived his form. In the bowling front, Prabath Jayasuriya got the wickets but at too high a price. Amidst the dark clouds though, Nishan Peiris came out as bright light, bowling much better in this Test.