Sri Lanka has a long tradition of rightfully pointing their spin for the downfall of Australia in cricket. It is the combination of the turning tracks on the subcontinent coupled with the skill of the Sri Lankan spinners that made a winning difference.
The 2016 Warne-Muralitharan Trophy was yet another historic series. Sri Lanka pulled off a whitewash of Australia winning 3-0 with veteran spin bowler, Rangana Herath leading the charge with 28 wickets. He also became the second Sri Lankan to take a hat trick in Test cricket during the second Test match at Galle. Herath’s guile and control left the Australian batsmen pondering for solutions.
Supporting Sheta was Dilruwan Perera who picked up 15 wickets in the series. He then achieved a ten wicket haul and batted second with a half century becoming the first Sri Lankan to score a ten wicket haul and half century in a Test match. These two with their dominance played pivotal roles throughout the series against the Australians in dismantling the batting order.
The patronage of spin excellence continued with new introductions like Lakshan Sandakan. On his Test debut against Australia in 2016, Sandakan took 7 wickets for 107 runs thus marking the best debut figures by a slow left arm wrist spinner. His rather unorthodox style to an impeccable Sri Lankan spin attack quite astonished the Australian batsmen.
These performances reinforce the ability of Sri Lanka to exploit spin friendly conditions and develop several world class spinners to capitalize on Australia’s presumably defense against quality spin bowling.
Today’s Sri Lanka Vs Australia Match Update:
When this article was written, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat in the 2nd One Day International against Australia here in Colombo. They are now 25 for 1 in 7.1 overs. Nishan Madushka is 15 not out and Kusal Mendis is 4 not out while Pathum Nissanka is out by way of bowled by Aaron Hardie for 6.
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