Australia were their usual unstoppable selves in the first innings, racking up a score of 542 for five, with relative newcomers Phil Jacques and Michael Hussey (150 and 132 respectively) playing brilliantly, and excellent support from Andrew Symonds, Michael Clarke and Adam Gilchrist.  Even the great Muttiah Muralitharan, Sri Lanka's greatest ever player and Wisden's 2006 Player of the Year, had no impact against the awesome batting line-up of the Australians.

In the Sri Lankan first innings, Mahela Jayawardene scored a ton, with able support from Kumar Sangakkara (as good a three and four batting combination in the world), but their last seven batsmen collapsed for the addition of only 30 runs. Brett Lee, who took four for 82, is looking more and more impressive as the new Australian attack spearhead.

Ricky Ponting tdid not enforce the follow on to give his team a rest. The Australian top four briskly added 210 for two at 4.5 runs per over. Again, the vaunted Sri Lankan bowling attack made little impact, despite Muralitharan and Lasith Malinga's presence. Ponting then declared, setting the Sri Lankans an improbable 500+ runs for victory.

‘A masterclass batting performance from Sangakkara and a wag from the tail, with a plucky 42 from Malinga, had the Sri Lankans close but with no cigar.’


The fourth innings started well enough for them, with a 143-run second wicket partnership between Sangakkara and Marvin Attapattu, allowing the Sri Lankans to close play on the 4th day at 247 for three, needing only 259 for victory with seven wickets in hand. 

On the final day, Sri Lanka lost five for 25 to be reeling at eight for 290. But a masterclass batting performance from Sangakkara (who was unlucky to be out after a catch was claimed after hitting his shoulder) and a wag from the tail, with a plucky 42 from Malinga, had the Sri Lankans close but with no cigar, losing the match by 96 runs and the series 2-0. Lee was named man of the match and man of the series with four wickets in every innings he bowled.

Sri Lanka, who had won seven of their last eight Tests and were 2007 World Cup runners-up, were expected by many to provide stiffer opposition to a new-look Australian team. They will be stronger for this, however, and will be looking forward to taking on England on home soil.

Australia, by comparison, notched up their 14th consecutive Test victory, only two short of the world record set by Steve Waugh's Australian team. With three new regular faces to their line-up (Jacques, Mitchell Johnson and Stuart MacGill), this impressive team looked no weaker for it. No disrespect to MacGill, he is no Shane Warne, and the Australian pace attack at times lacked penetration apart from Lee.

India, the team who put a halt to Australia's world record 16-match winning streak, now await the baggy green caps. India have an excellent recent record against the Aussies, with four wins to Australia's three in their last 10 meetings. Previous Tests with these two teams have proved classics, and the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble would dearly love to finish their sparkling careers with a rare series victory in the most fearsome cricketing arena, Australia.

India, after recently winning a series in England for the first time since 1986, have three matches against Pakistan to become battle ready for the current world champions and No.1 ranked team in the world. They will need to be at their best against an Australian side who have not been beaten at home for 14 years.

The first of four Tests between these two great cricketing nations – the famous Boxing Day Test – begins in Melbourne on December 26.