Kusal Mendis shines in Galle Test, hammers twin half-centuries: Stats
What's the story
Australia defeated Sri Lanka in the second Test match, played in Galle. With this win, the Australian team has swept the series 2-0.
The match ended before lunch on the fourth day, with Australia losing just one wicket while chasing a target of 75 runs.
Meanwhile, Kusal Mendis starred for the Lankans in the game, scoring fifties in both innings.
Here are his stats.
Knock
Mendis's resistance in the third innings
Mendis, who made an unbeaten 85 in his first outing, arrived with the scorecard reading 128/5.
He joined forces with Angelo Mathews (76) as the duo took the Lankans near the 200-run mark with a 70-run stand.
Mendis, who returned unbeaten on 48* on Day 3, completed his fifty on Day 4.
It was a knock of intent from the keeper-batter as he smoked five fours and a six.
Match highlights
Sri Lanka's resistance crumbles, Australia's spinners shine
Sri Lanka's resistance on Day 4 just 26 minutes on Sunday, with Mendis and Lahiru Kumara getting out for 50 and nine runs respectively. This meant the hosts were folded for 231.
Australia's spinners Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann played a crucial role in this, with each taking four wickets.
The duo expertly exploited the dusty pitch conditions in Galle, which were perfect for spin bowling.
Historic achievement
Smith joins elite club, Australia celebrates series victory
Australian skipper Steve Smith caught Mendis off Lyon's delivery, marking his 200th Test catch.
This puts him in an exclusive club of players like Rahul Dravid, Joe Root, Mahela Jayawardene, and Jacques Kallis.
Meanwhile, the second Test win comes after Australia's dominant performance in the first match of the series where they defeated Sri Lanka by an innings and 242 runs — the latter's worst defeat in Test history.
Stats
Twin fifties for Mendis
Mendis backed his 85* off 139 balls in the first innings with a 54-ball 50.
Playing his 71st Test, Mendis has raced to 4,668runs at 36.75. In addition to 10 tons, he has slammed 21 fifties.
As per ESPNcricinfo, Mendis now owns 645 runs versus the Aussies at 40.31. He registered his fourth fifty against them (100: 1).
Summary
How did the second Test pan out?
Fifties from Kusal Mendis (85*) and Dinesh Chandimal (74) helped SL post 257/10 while batting first.
Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann dismissed three batters each. Australia posted a brilliant 414/10 in response as Smith (131) and Alex Carey (156) made their bat talk.
Angelo Mathews (76) and Mendis (50) were SL's half-centurions in the third innings as they managed 231/10.
Lyon and Kuhnemann took four wickets each. The visitors (75/1) broke no sweat while chasing the target.