Delve into Steven Smith’s tactical brilliance that propelled Australia to a record-breaking win in the 1st Test. Read about the match’s pivotal strategies.
Introduction:
Australia remained unfazed by Galle’s unpredictable weather and decisively overwhelmed Sri Lanka’s fragile batting order, securing a victory by an innings and 242 runs in the first Test. Despite the rain that caused the third day’s two sessions to be entirely lost, the Australian momentum continued unimpeded, allowing them to conclude the match on the fourth day. See also: Galle Test: Rain Adds Intrigue as Australia Eyes Victory
Australia’s superiority was evident as the match concluded in just nine sessions. They batted for a demanding 154 overs in their sole innings, while Sri Lanka could only reach 106.5 overs over both innings. See also: Smith and Carey’s Record Stand in Galle Test
Stand-in captain Steven Smith leads a new-look Australia to victory
In the absence of regular skipper Pat Cummins, Steven Smith marshaled a spin-heavy attack masterfully. Winning an easy toss, Australia took full advantage of the slow surface to post their highest-ever total in Asia.

Josh Inglis’s debut century proved a tactical masterstroke, as did the selection of three frontline spinners. Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann, making a remarkable recovery from a thumb injury, showcased his value with a nine-wicket match haul.
While Australia executed its plans with clinical precision, Sri Lanka faltered badly. Typically competitive in home conditions, Sri Lanka looked outclassed, needing a swift turnaround before the second Test, which starts on February 6 at the same venue. The win ensured Australia retained the Warne-Muralidaran Trophy.

Sri Lanka’s Batting Woes Continue
After Sri Lanka had collapsed to 5 for 9 and were bundled out for 165, they hoped to make amends after being forced to follow on. Their troubles, however, persisted against Mitchell Starc’s pace and Todd Murphy’s spin.
Oshada Fernando was trapped plumb lbw by Starc’s sharp in-swinger in just the third over. A poor review compounded Sri Lanka’s misery. Soon after, Dimuth Karunaratne inexplicably left a delivery from Murphy only to see his off-stump rattled. In a staggering collapse, Sri Lanka had lost seven wickets for just 15 runs across their two innings.

A glimmer of resistance came from Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews, whose 69-run stand was Sri Lanka’s highest partnership of the match. Disaster then struck just before lunch when Chandimal gloved Nathan Lyon to short leg, and Australia successfully overturned the on-field not-out decision.
Australia’s Ruthless Finish
Resuming after lunch, Australia looked to finish the job in a hurry. Smith got his LBW call against Mathews wrong, choosing not to review a missed reverse sweep off Lyon. Replays later confirmed that the decision would have been overturned.
Still, Australia’s dominance was not to be questioned much. A brief counter from Kamindu Mendis, who hit Kuhnemann for a boundary, was enough to see him get run out on the very next ball by hitting the ball straight to deep midwicket.

Mathews followed soon, undone by a Lyon delivery at short leg. Though Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis stitched together a half-century stand, the result was inevitable. A maiden Test half-century from Jeffrey Vandersay was a lone bright spot for Sri Lanka.
Lyon added two late wickets to finish with match figures of 7 for 135, capping off a commanding bowling display.

Questions over Australia’s First Innings Strategy
Although the victory was emphatic, questions arose regarding whether Australia batted too long in their first innings. But as the match unfolded, their game plan proved spot on.
At 136 for 5 in their first innings, Sri Lanka briefly entertained hopes of a draw with the looming rain. However, they needed Chandimal to produce an exceptional innings to keep their slim chances alive.
The Australians, including Kuhnemann and Lyon, executed their tactics flawlessly from word to word. Chandimal’s adopted reverse sweep was well countered with pinpointed field placements. Even when Mendis counterattacked temporarily, Australia managed to bait him into a slightly mistimed sweep for his wicket.
Chandimal’s resistance ended at 72 when he missed another reverse sweep and fell lbw to Lyon. The tail collapsed quickly, but Kuhnemann had his second Test five-wicket haul in dismantling Sri Lanka to complete a landmark win.
Australia’s crushing victory inflicted Sri Lanka’s heaviest defeat in Test cricket, highlighting their sheer superiority in Galle.