Galle, Sep 3(ANI): A five-wicket haul from fast bowler Ryan Harris helped Australia to a comfortable 125 run victory over Sri Lanka on the fourth day of the first Test in Galle today.
Harris finished with match figures of 5-62, which included the key wicket of Mahela Jayawardene (105).
Jayawardene and Angelo Mathews (95) were stoic in a stand of 142 for the sixth wicket that dragged the hosts back from 68-5 to briefly threaten the most stunning of fightbacks.
It was a partnership that proved difficult to break for Australia, but when they finally did it was not long before Sri Lanka was knocked over for 253, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
Sri Lanka was chasing an unlikely fourth-innings target of 379.
At the post-match ceremony, Clarke said that he was "excited" over the ideal start to his full-time Test captaincy and to the three-match series.
He also credited his bowlers and all-rounder Shane Watson for executing the plans of the team management and picking early wickets.
"My first as captain, so very excited. The way we played throughout was spot on. As the days went on, the wicket died a bit, and the pace came off," Clarke said.
"So, the most important part was the new ball, and our bowlers executed the plans with both new balls. The debutants did a fantastic job. Very special," he added.
The Man-of-the-Match couldn't have been easy, but for his innings on the first day, it is
Australian batsman Michael Hussey was adjudged the Man-of-the-Match for his 95 off 177 balls in the first innings. (ANI)
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