Introduction
From January 29 to February 1, 2025, at the iconic Galle International Stadium, the Sri Lanka national cricket team took on the Australian men’s cricket team in the first Test of the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy. It was a dominant performance by Australia, as they won the match by an innings and 242 runs. The game displayed Australia’s class in all departments and set the tone for the rest of the tour.
| Match Type | Test & ODI |
|---|---|
| Tour Dates | Jan 29 – Feb 14, 2025 |
| Venues | Galle, Colombo |
| Test Series Result | Australia won 2–0 |
| ODI Series Result | Sri Lanka won 2–0 |
| Top Test Scorer | Usman Khawaja (232) |
| Top ODI Scorer | Charith Asalanka (127) |
| Best Test Bowler | Matt Kuhnemann (16 wickets) |
| Player of Test Match | Usman Khawaja |
| Player of Test Series | Steven Smith |
| Player of ODI Series | Charith Asalanka |
| Biggest Win Margin | Australia by innings & 242 runs |
| ODI Highlight | Sri Lanka bowled out Australia for 107 |
Toss & Outcome
Australia won the toss and elected to bat first. It was a confident decision, considering the nature of the pitch and their batting firepower. The decision turned out to be a masterstroke as Australia amassed a massive first innings total, putting Sri Lanka under relentless pressure.
Australia Innings
Australia declared their first innings at 654 for 6 in 154 overs, showcasing one of their most commanding batting displays in recent memory.
Usman Khawaja was the standout performer, scoring a magnificent 232 runs off 352 balls, including 16 boundaries. He played with supreme patience and timing, anchoring the innings from the top.
Captain Steven Smith supported with a solid 141, playing his typical technically sound game. Josh Inglis made his mark with a quick and fluent 102, while Travis Head contributed 57 valuable runs.
Extras accounted for 14 runs. The declaration came with the team in complete control, looking to exploit the weary Sri Lankan batting lineup.
Sri Lanka First Innings & Follow-On
In their first innings, Sri Lanka were bundled out for just 165 runs in 52.2 overs. The only notable resistance came from Dhananjaya de Silva, who scored 72 runs with resilience.
Kusal Mendis tried to offer support with a score of 21, but the rest of the batting order collapsed under the pressure of accurate and aggressive Australian bowling.
Facing a huge deficit, Sri Lanka was forced to follow on. Unfortunately, their second innings performance wasn’t much better as they managed only 247 runs, once again falling short of avoiding an innings defeat.
Bowling Performances
Australia’s bowling attack was as clinical as their batting.
Left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann was sensational, taking 16 wickets across both innings in the match. He consistently troubled the batters with his variation and accuracy.
Nathan Lyon backed him up with vital wickets, showing his mastery of subcontinent conditions. Mitchell Starc chipped in with pace and swing, unsettling the top order early on.
For Sri Lanka, Prabath Jayasuriya and Ravindra Vandersay took three wickets each, but they could not contain the Australian batsmen for long periods.
Key Moments
Khawaja’s double century was the backbone of Australia’s dominance. His partnership with Steven Smith and later with Josh Inglis helped the team reach an unassailable total.
The timing of the declaration ensured enough time was left in the match to take 20 wickets.
Sri Lanka’s failure to stitch meaningful partnerships or play out the Australian spinners was a major factor in their heavy loss.
First Test Summary
Australia’s performance was complete and authoritative. From the moment they stepped onto the field, they looked focused and in control. Their batsmen showed patience, and their bowlers delivered with precision.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, never really recovered from the pressure created by the Australian innings. It was a match that highlighted the gulf between the two teams in red-ball cricket.
Second Test & Tour Context
In the second Test held from February 6 to 10, also at Galle, Australia again came out victorious, winning the match by nine wickets.
This clean 2–0 sweep marked their first Test series win in Sri Lanka since 2011 and cemented their position in the World Test Championship standings.
Their dominance across both Tests showed a team playing with confidence, clarity, and a game plan tailored to subcontinent conditions.
ODI Series: A Different Story
While Australia dominated the Tests, the One Day International (ODI) series told a different tale.
Sri Lanka bounced back strongly to win the ODI series 2–0. In the first ODI, they defended a modest total of 214 runs with the help of Charith Asalanka’s century and an all-round effort in the field.
In the second ODI, Sri Lanka batted brilliantly to post 281 for 4 and bowled out Australia for just 107 runs, clinching a huge 174-run victory. Kusal Mendis’s century and Dunith Wellalage’s brilliant bowling highlighted Sri Lanka’s white-ball prowess.
Final Thoughts
This tour will be remembered for contrasting performances across formats.
Australia displayed sheer dominance in the longer format, with structured batting, intelligent bowling, and disciplined fielding. Their ability to adapt and control the tempo of the game was remarkable.
Sri Lanka, though overwhelmed in Tests, showed resilience and flair in the limited-overs format. Their spinners stepped up, and the middle order looked much more settled in the shorter game.
What’s Next?
Australia now turns its focus to the upcoming Champions Trophy in Pakistan. The team will carry confidence from its Test performances but must address concerns about batting against spin in ODIs.
Sri Lanka will look to build on their ODI success. The emergence of young talents and a solid spin unit gives them momentum heading into future series and ICC events.
Man-Match & Series Awards
In the first Test, Usman Khawaja was awarded Player of the Match for his double hundred, which shaped the outcome of the game.
Steven Smith was named Player of the Test Series, thanks to his consistent scoring and leadership with the bat.
Charith Asalanka was recognized as the Player of the ODI Series, a reward for his consistent batting and match-winning knock.
Conclusion
The clash between the Sri Lanka national cricket team and the Australian men’s cricket team showcased the beauty of international cricket — where conditions, form, and mindset dictate results.
Australia’s clinical Test sweep reflected their growing strength in world cricket, especially in overseas conditions.
Sri Lanka’s comeback in the ODI series reminded everyone that in cricket, fortunes can turn swiftly across formats. The full match scorecards, key stats, and game-changing moments from this tour will be remembered as a true battle of resilience, talent, and cricketing strategy.
