Aus in SL: Sri Lanka whitewash Aussies 3-0 in Tests

Sri Lanka beat Australia by 163 runs to win the third and final Test and record a 3-0 whitewash of the series at the SSC ground in Colombo today (17).

Chasing a victory target of 324 runs Australia were bowled out for 160 as left-arm spinner Rangana Herath claimed a match-bag of 13 wickets to become the man-of-the-match and player of the series. 

Electing to bat, Sri Lanka posted 355 runs in their first innings after placing at 5-26 at one stage while Australia replied with 379 to gain an advantage of 24 runs. 

For Sri Lanka Dhananjaya de Silva scored his first Test century with a well compiled 129 which came off 280 deliveries inclusive of 18 fours, while Dinesh Chandimal made 132 off 356 balls with 13 fours and a six. 

Mitchell Starc claimed five wickets while Nathan Lyon took three. 

For Australia Shaun Marsh hit 130 off 281 balls inclusive of 19 fours and skipper Steven Smith made 119 off 218 deliveries with 10 fours and a six. 

Herath picked six wickets and Dilruwan Perera took two. 

In their second innings Sri Lanka declared at 347 for 8 after opener Kaushal Silva made a brilliant comeback knock of 115 which came off 269 balls inclusive of 10 fours, setting Australia a target of 324 to reach in two sessions. 

Dhananjaya de Silva hit a timely 65 not out off 74 balls inclusive of 10 fours while Lyon picked four wickets. 

Starc and Jon Holland took two wickets each.

Wickets kept tumbling despite Australia's fine start which was set up by openers Shaun Marsh and David Warner, who put on 77 runs. 

Warner made 68 off 94 deliveries inclusive of six fours and a six as Australia lost wickets at regular intervals, eventually succumbing at 160. 

Herath took seven scalps. 

Sri Lanka won the first two games -- at Pallekele by 106 runs and at Galle by 229 runs. 

The One Day International series will begin on Sunday (21) at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo with the first of five games.  

Sri Lanka 

First innings 355 all out (141.1) (Kusal Perera 16, Dinesh Chandimal 132, Dhananjaya de Silva 129, Dilruwan Perera 16, Rangana Herath 33, Mitchell Starc 5/63, Nathan Lyon 3/110)

Second innings 347 for 8 declared (99.3) (Dimuth Karunaratne 22, Kaushal Silva 115, Kusal Perera 24, Kusal Mendis 18, Angelo Mathews 26, Dinesh Chandimal 43, Dananjaya de Silva 65n.o, Nathan Lyon 4/123, Jon Holland 2/72, Mitchell Starc 2/72)

Australia 

First innings 379 all out (125.1) (Shaun Marsh 130, Steven Smith 119, Adam Voges 22, Mitchell Marsh 53, Rangana Herath 6/81, Dilruwan Perera 2/129)

Second innings 160 all out (44.1) (Shaun Marsh 23, David Warner 68, Mitchell Starc 23, Rangana Herath 7/64, Dilruwan Perera 2/71)