Colombo, Aug 17:
Sri Lanka clinched their first series whitewash over a major cricketing nation today as they won the third and final Test against Australia by 163 runs, with spinner Rangana Herath taking 7-64.
Set a formidable target of 324 in their second innings at Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), the world number one Test side collapsed in the afternoon session on the fifth day and were all out for 160.
It was the third time in a row that the Australians had lost all of their Tests in away series against teams from the sub-continent.
Openers David Warner and Shaun Marsh gave Australia some hope of a consolation win with a brisk start in the morning session but once their partnership was broken, the visitors suffered a rapid collapse.
Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera struck just before lunch to send Marsh, who scored a century in the century in the first innings in Colombo, back to the pavilion on 23.
Herath soon took over from his fellow spinner to dismiss Australian skipper Steve Smith and senior batsman Adam Vogues in the same over.
Warner, who had batted well for his 68 with six fours and a six, was Perera’s second big strike. (Agencies)
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