Sri Lanka v Australia Test series: Combined XI

The Warne-Muralitharan Trophy came to an end with the Sri Lankan clinching a historic and important 3-0 win. Apart from the shutout of the win, Sri Lanka claimed they’re first ever clean sweep in Test match cricket with a win in all of their Test matches. While it is certainly great to agree that not one individual was solely responsible for the win, it is also safe to say that there were indeed flashes of brilliance on both sides. That said, we take a quick look at the best possible XI from the series.

Shaun Marsh

The left-handed batsman came in for the final match of the series and impressed one and all with the bat. He smashed a century in the first innings. However, it proved to be in vain as Australia failed to clinch a win. In the one Test he played, he managed 153 runs including 130 in the first innings.

David Warner

One of Australia’s brighter and more positive batsmen on the tour was indeed David Warner. Having played all three matches, Warner was responsible for giving the Aussies starts in most matches. Apart from his 68 in the final innings in the series, he could muster 163 runs.

Kusal Mendis

The 21-year old won the hearts of many a player as well as a fan in the series when he successfully smashed a century under intense pressure in the first Test. Although he looked largely subdued in the following matches, Mendis is certainly one for the future. Apart from the 176 in the first match, he smashed 296 runs at an average of 49.

Steve Smith (C)

Steve Smith led his team from the front for the most part of the series. However, the fact that his bowlers did not respond made it slightly harder for him to do his job. However, he was consistent with the bat and was the leading run-getter in the series for the Aussies.With a hundred and a fifty to his name, Smith boasted of 247 runs in the series.

Angelo Mathews

The Sri Lankan skipper impressed some with some aggressive batting performances from time to time. Moreover, the fact that his fielding was something simply phenomenal also added to his selection in this XI.Although he failed to pick up a wicket, Mathews smashed 152 runs in the series.

Dinesh Chandimal (WK)

Apart from his impeccable glove work, Chandimal was simply phenomenal with the bat with a ton coming in the first innings of the final Test. He has proved that he is supremely reliable with the bat. He smashed 132 runs in the first innings of the final Test and 250 runs in the series.

Dilruwan Perera

Apart from becoming the first player to take a 10-wicket haul and score a half-century in the match, Dilruwan Perera was perhaps the best foil for spinner Rangana Herath. His wicket tally in the series reads 15 wickets to his name.

Mitchell Starc

Perhaps the best bowler in the series by a country mile. Mitchell Starc got a purchase out of a wicket that is perfectly suited for spin bowlers. However, the fact that Starc picked 24 wickets in the series, showcases his superhuman abilities with the ball.

Also read: Sri Lanka v Australia 3rd Test – Statistical Highlights

Rangana Herath

The best spin bowler in the series as well as the highest wicket-taker in the series as well. His spell on the final day of the final Test which saw him claim seven wickets made his achievement immortalized. He concluded with 28 wickets in the series.

Nathan Lyon

Being the only recognizable spinner in the side apart from Steve O’Keefe and Jon Holland, Lyon was the only effective spinner as far as Australia was concerned. He concluded with 16 wickets in the series.

Josh Hazelwood

Hazelwood was supremely important for the Australians when he shared the portion of the workload with Mitchell Starc. Although his wickets tally and other numbers speak very little for his performance, Hazelwood’s overall performance in the series was definitely right up there. He was only able to muster 7 wickets in the entire series.