414/10 (106.4)
CR : 3.88
257/10 (97.4)
CR : 2.63
Australia won by 9 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Alex Carey
156(188)
12:01 PM IST, Local Time: Time for the presentation.
Dimuth Karunaratne: "Yes, I am emotional. It's been a long career with my friends and team members. But I'm leaving them. I'll be enjoying and supporting them from wherever I go from here on.
I think all those are memorable things when you play 100 Test matches for your country. It's not easy. My goal was to play 100 Test matches for the country and achieve 10000 runs. Luckily, I was in cricket and I'm happy with how it went. I want to support everyone who supported me throughout my career.
I have qualified to go to Australia and want to achieve some coaching courses there. I'll spend some time with my family before coming back to Sri Lanka and eyeing a coaching role in the future.
I want to thank all the fans who have supported me when I was doing well and wasn't doing well. They have been a big part of my life. Also, big thanks to all the team members and I'm going to miss my time in the dressing room. But it's cricket and you have to move on at some time."
I think all those are memorable things when you play 100 Test matches for your country. It's not easy. My goal was to play 100 Test matches for the country and achieve 10000 runs. Luckily, I was in cricket and I'm happy with how it went. I want to support everyone who supported me throughout my career.
I have qualified to go to Australia and want to achieve some coaching courses there. I'll spend some time with my family before coming back to Sri Lanka and eyeing a coaching role in the future.
I want to thank all the fans who have supported me when I was doing well and wasn't doing well. They have been a big part of my life. Also, big thanks to all the team members and I'm going to miss my time in the dressing room. But it's cricket and you have to move on at some time."
Player of the Match: Alex Carey
Alex Carey (Player of the Match): "Congratulations to Dimuth, outstanding career and it was a pleasure playing against him. Josh had a bit of back spasm and I was elevated up the order. The top order did well and Smudge was outstanding once again and showed his class.
Using the sweep at the right time, manipulating the field and summing up the bowler's plans. The wicket allowed expansive shots at times. It was a good wicket when the ball pitched at the good stuff.
Wicketkeeping on this pitch is really fun. Kusal did a really good job as well. We have got some quality spinners in our line-up. It's always great to get behind the stumps in the subcontinent. You feel like you are always in the game and you expect the ball to come your way. Full credit to our bowlers for creating the 40 chances across the tournament."
Using the sweep at the right time, manipulating the field and summing up the bowler's plans. The wicket allowed expansive shots at times. It was a good wicket when the ball pitched at the good stuff.
Wicketkeeping on this pitch is really fun. Kusal did a really good job as well. We have got some quality spinners in our line-up. It's always great to get behind the stumps in the subcontinent. You feel like you are always in the game and you expect the ball to come your way. Full credit to our bowlers for creating the 40 chances across the tournament."
Player of the Series: Steve Smith
Dhananjaya de Silva (Sri Lanka Captain): "Obviously, we are disappointed on finish on the losing side. Losing a Test series at home is disappointing. We had opportunities but the Aussies showed why they are in the final.
I'm talking about the first innings always, whether you are bowling or batting. We went to bat in the best conditions and got 260. That's not enough to win a Test match. That starting phase, that was the game-changing moment. Losing four wickets is not going to help you.
Consistency. I talked with the coaches also. They (Australian spinners) bowled in the same place consistently and made it hard for us to score."
I'm talking about the first innings always, whether you are bowling or batting. We went to bat in the best conditions and got 260. That's not enough to win a Test match. That starting phase, that was the game-changing moment. Losing four wickets is not going to help you.
Consistency. I talked with the coaches also. They (Australian spinners) bowled in the same place consistently and made it hard for us to score."
Steve Smith (Player of the Series & Australia Captain): "It was a really good series. We played really well from the outset. The plans the batter came with and the way they adapted was amazing. Everyone had their method and stuck to it. Our bowlers did a tremendous job including Mitchell Starc who bowled quick and beautifully. The spinners have done really well. Since coming here in 2016 the guys have developed better plans to come with and it's great to see such constant improvement We have played spinners really well.
We had a really good training camp in Dubai before we came here. Guys worked on their methods. All our batters bat differently. Usman and Carey and Inglis use the sweep a lot. Myself and Marnus look to get down the wicket, Travis uses the crease well. Everyone has their own individual plan and that's why we were successful in this series.
It's been really fun. We have got such a great group here. The way the guys have played is exceptional. I really enjoy captaining in this part of the world. All the little movements we have to make and intricacies of the game. We had a good couple of weeks.
[Partnership with Carey] It was honestly an important one at that stage. The way Alex went about it putting the pressure back on the bowlers, he scored at a really good pace. That partnership helped us set up the game and hope he continues."
We had a really good training camp in Dubai before we came here. Guys worked on their methods. All our batters bat differently. Usman and Carey and Inglis use the sweep a lot. Myself and Marnus look to get down the wicket, Travis uses the crease well. Everyone has their own individual plan and that's why we were successful in this series.
It's been really fun. We have got such a great group here. The way the guys have played is exceptional. I really enjoy captaining in this part of the world. All the little movements we have to make and intricacies of the game. We had a good couple of weeks.
[Partnership with Carey] It was honestly an important one at that stage. The way Alex went about it putting the pressure back on the bowlers, he scored at a really good pace. That partnership helped us set up the game and hope he continues."
Steve Smith collects the winner's trophy. He is also handed the Warne-Muralitharan trophy. He is joined by his teammates as they pose for the photographs. Deserving winners in Galle.
That wraps up our coverage for this Test series. The action now shifts to Colombo for the two-match ODI series, which begins on Wednesday (February 12). Do join us for that. Also, keep joining us for more cricketing action all around the globe.
For now, this is Akshay Bhide, signing off, on behalf of my co-commentator Ninaad Dixit and scorer Bishal Mandal. Until next time, cheers and good bye.
For now, this is Akshay Bhide, signing off, on behalf of my co-commentator Ninaad Dixit and scorer Bishal Mandal. Until next time, cheers and good bye.