By Daniel Brettig
Although the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy was already secured, Australia’s Test cricketers still had plenty to play for in the second Test in Galle.
Their nine-wicket win over Sri Lanka was an emphatic result, with a number of players enhancing their reputation and standing in the team. But there were some who are now under more pressure than before as the World Test Championship final approaches, followed by a home Ashes series. Here are our player ratings for the second Test:
Alex Carey 10
Played the innings of his Test career to date, chalking up the best ever score by an Australian wicketkeeper in south Asia, and forming one half of a match-winning partnership with Steve Smith. Also kept wicket with precious few blemishes, as he had done all series.
Steve Smith 9
A second century in as many Tests and fourth in five games proved beyond doubt that Smith is back as a batting force. This innings mattered more than most given the match situation when he walked to the crease and the challenges provided by the pitch. Captained well once more, although he did not appear to have full confidence in the bowling of Cooper Connolly.
Matthew Kuhnemann gave another impressive performance in the second Test in Galle.Credit: AP
Matt Kuhnemann 9
Consistently Australia’s most threatening bowler all series, and maintained his threat in both innings. Claimed key victims on day three, including a couple of classic left-armer’s deliveries to deliver catches to Smith – one brilliant, one standard – at slip.
Nathan Lyon 8
Was the ideal offsider for Kuhnemann, twirling down a top class spell on the first day and then persisting through plenty of sore spots to harry Sri Lanka and Angelo Mathews into errors on day three. Had a huge workload due to the selection of only three specialist bowlers, but as he put it, “I’ll rest when I get home”.
Nathan Lyon finds full voice on appeal.Credit: Getty Images
Mitchell Starc 7
Provided a sharp edge with the new ball in the knowledge he would not be needed for too many overs overall. Was not quite at his best in the second innings but gained some sharp reverse swing in the first.
Beau Webster 6
Was not needed to bowl much at all, but made handy runs again and also took a couple of outstanding catches. Webster is an estimable cricketer who is getting the most out of himself. Will be useful in England in June.
Usman Khawaja 5
Played well before misjudging a pull shot to be lbw for 36. Has all but guaranteed his spot for the Ashes series next summer with big runs on this tour, and led the way for the rest of the batting order with his combination of solid defence and calculated risks in attack. Even Smith was sweeping and reversing by the end of the series.
Travis Head 5
A pugilistic batting cameo and a key wicket on day one, although he would have liked to make a big score on this trip. Winning the Allan Border Medal between Tests ensured that Head enjoyed himself off the field, too.
Cooper Connolly is presented with his baggy green cap by Simon Katich.Credit: Getty Images
Marnus Labuschagne 3
Hit one crisp boundary but was quickly sorted out by Prabath Jayasuriya in the first innings. Played more fluently in the second to help seal the chase. Nevertheless, he has left himself very much open to being dropped for the World Test Championship final as Cameron Green, Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis all push for spots in the batting order.
Cooper Connolly 2
Was barely used with the ball and played frantically in his one chance with the bat. Teammates and coaches have conceded his selection was partly driven by a misread of the pitch, but he will cherish the cap presentation from Simon Katich, and the win.
Josh Inglis 1
Spent much of the game off the field with a stiff back and then lasted just two balls against Jayasuriya, finding out that the second Test pitch was considerably trickier than the first.
