Published: Jul 30, 2016, 06:04 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 30, 2016, 06:04 PM (IST)
Having won the first Test against Australia at Pallekele by 106 runs, Sri Lanka have more reason to rejoice, after they set a record for the most number of consecutive dot balls bowled in an innings. During Australia’s chase, the hosts bowled a total of 154 consecutive dot balls, starting from the final ball of the 63rd over to the third delivery of the 89th over. A similar dry spell took place for 41 balls, from the final ball of 56th over to the fourth ball of 63rd over. Only a Stephen O’Keefe in the fourth ball of the 63rd over boundary separated the two spells. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Sri Lanka vs Australia, 1st Test at Pallekele
The last 154 balls of the Test match between Sri Lanka and Australia went like this #SLvAUS #Cricket pic.twitter.com/kWbYySs7Tb
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) July 30, 2016
The dry barren spell was frustrating for Sri Lanka who were closing in on a win over Australia in the first Test. The win also marked their second over Australia in Test format, and also the first defeat for visitor skipper Steven Smith in Test cricket. Also, this was the seventh consecutive defeat for the Aussies in Asian soil, having lost 4-0 against India in 2013, and 2-0 against Pakistan in 2014.
Sri Lanka had a horrible start to the match, getting bundled out for 117 after choosing to bat first. But they fought back, bowling out their opponents for 203 in their first innings. The hosts then put up a fighting 353 in their second innings, thanks to a outstanding 176 from Kusal Mendis. His knock meant Australia had to chase down 268 to win.
The Australian batting line-up succumbed to the pressure, and barring a half-century from Smith, no other batsman showed up. The failure of the top-order meant the lower-order fought to get a draw, scoring a total of four runs from over 57 to their end of the innings.
