Second Test Aussie player ratings: Who fired, who fizzled in nine-wicket hammering of Sri Lanka
Aussie player ratings
Some Australians fired in the second Test, but others fizzled.
Wide World of Sports rates all 11 Australian players out of 10 after the tourists secured a 2-0 series win in Galle, defeating Sri Lanka by nine wickets on the fourth day.
Travis Head | 5
Produced a couple of starts in the aggressive fashion he's become renowned for, but couldn't kick on.
Chalked up 21 from 22 balls in Australia's first dig, before hammering 20 off 23 in the visitors' fourth-innings run chase.
Also removed the brilliant Kamindu Mendis with one of his part-time offies.
Usman Khawaja | 5
Grafted out 36 runs in Australia's first innings, before helping steer the visitors home with a composed knock of 27 not out on the fourth day.
Marnus Labuschagne | 3.5
His grip on the Australian No.3 position weakened even further when he lost his wicket for 4, brought undone by off-spinner Prabath Jayasuriya.
The right-hander was rapped on the back leg while trying to play back to a low-bouncing ball.
He went some way to redeeming himself amid his grim form slump by finishing not out on 26, linking up with Khawaja to steer the Australians to victory.
Steve Smith | 10
Arrived in the middle with Australia teetering at 2-37, before notching his 36th Test century in a sterling knock of 131.
Combined with Alex Carey for 259 runs, the highest fourth-wicket partnership by a visiting pair in Test cricket.
Smith also took a series-high five catches as he became the first Australian to tally 200 Test catches, not including wicketkeepers.
And he again captained superbly, strengthening Australia's position on multiple occasions with astute bowling changes and cunning field placements.
Alex Carey | 10
Was scintillating at No.5 after being nudged up the order as Josh Inglis battled back soreness.
Australia's unheralded gloveman plundered 156 from 188 balls in a record-breaking knock, relegating Adam Gilchrist by registering the highest Test score by an Australian wicketkeeper in Asia.
Carey also had another fine Test behind the stumps, and finished the game with three catches and a stumping.
Took out player of the match.
Josh Inglis | 1
Was humbled days after achieving the rare feat of scoring a Test century on debut.
Trudged back to the pavilion after making a two-ball duck, brought undone by a Prabath Jayasuriya delivery that skidded off the deck as he tried to defend on his back foot.
Spent much of the match sidelined with his sore back.
Beau Webster | 7
Chimed in with a knock of 31 to help Australia sail beyond the 400-run mark.
Also proved effective with his off-spinners, taking 2-6 in Sri Lanka's second dig.
And he took a splendid catch at deep backward square leg, which ended a threatening Angelo Mathews innings on 76.
Cooper Connolly | 2
Hardly bowled despite receiving his Test debut in place of off-spinner Todd Murphy.
Connolly, a 21-year-old left-arm orthodox tweaker, was only given five overs by Smith across the game, and registered match figures of 0-21.
Also appeared to be in all sorts in a short-lived visit to the crease, losing his wicket for 4 in a streaky innings at No.8.
Scampered down the wicket and tried to whack off-spinner Nishan Peiris down the ground, but skewed the ball to point.
Mitchell Starc | 6
Again playing as Australia's only specialist quick, captured 3-37 from 16 overs as the tourists restricted Sri Lanka to 257.
Sent captain Dhananjaya de Silva on his way for a golden duck with a full and wide ball that was scooped to Beau Webster at gully.
Went wicketless from four overs when Australia bowled again.
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