Australia sweep SL series as Karunaratne bows out

Australia wrapped up a dominant 2-0 sweep of the Test series against Sri Lanka at Galle on Sunday, romping to a nine-wicket victory before lunch on day four.

- Agencies

GALLE:

Set a modest target of 75 to win, Australia lost only Travis Head as they stormed to a commanding victory in a ruthless display from the world's top-ranked Test side.

Head and Usman Khawaja put on 38 for the first wicket, looking at ease on a turning wicket.

Prabath Jayasuriya removed Head, caught behind but Marnus Labuschagne with 26 and Khawaja, 27, knocked off the runs.

With three runs required for the win, Dimuth Karunaratne, playing his 100th and final Test match, was called up to bowl.

Labuschagne flicked his third delivery to midwicket to level the scores, and with another flick on the next ball, sealed the win 16 minutes before lunch.

"When I started my cricket, I just wanted to play one Test match," said Karunaratne. "To go on to play 100 Tests was amazing. Playing cricket for so long has been a privilege".

Australia had inflicted an innings and 242-run defeat on Sri Lanka in the first Test, the host's worst ever defeat.

The second Test victory triggered jubilant celebrations among the Australian fans, who far outnumbered the home contingent in the stands.