August is not the month Australians love the most. The Kangaroos lost the second Test by 229 runs against Sri Lanka today on 6th August. Last year, around the same time, they had lost the Ashes to England on 8th August.
Sri Lanka’s victory in the second Test is a testimony to the fact that they are improving with each Test series.
There were many highs achieved by Sri Lanka in this Test series. On the other hand, Australians have reached some new lows.
Let’s have a look at them in terms of numbers.
Perera’s epic achievement: Dilruwan Perera’s ten-wicket haul and half-century in the match has earned him a place in cricket history books. This is the first time that a Sri Lanka has achieved such a feat in a Test match.
Glory for Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka had won only a single Test match in span of 35 years before this Test series against Australia. In the last ten days, they have won 2 Test matches.
Australia’s last 8 Tests in Asia: Australian fans’ hearts will shrink when they will know that their team has not won a single Test match in Asia on last 8 occasions they played here. They lost 4 against India, 2 against Pakistan and now 2 more against Sri Lanka. Time to think hard for the Australians.
Third shortest Test match in last 100 years: The second Sri Lanka- Australia Test match ended in just two and a half days. It is the third shortest Test game played ever. The first in the list is India versus Australia game in Mumbai in the year 2004-05 and the second shortest was played between South Africa and West Indies in Port Elizabeth in 1998-99.
Steven Smith’s first Test series loss: Steven Smith has a lot to think before the third Test starts against Sri Lanka. The second Test defeat in ten days gave him his first Test series loss since becoming the Test captain. Before this series, Australia had won 7 and drew 2 Tests under Steven Smith.
