Pallekele: Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath bagged a five-wicket haul to help Sri Lanka beat top-ranked Australia by 106 runs on Day 5 of the first Test in Pallekele on Saturday.
Steve Smith's side, chasing a challenging 268 for victory, were bowled out for 161 before tea to trail the three-match series 0-1. The skipper was the highest scorer with a 55-run knock.
Sri Lankan batsman Kusal Mendis set up the win for the hosts with his brilliant ton in the second innings after the home side overcame an 86-run deficit.
Herath finished with impressive match figures of 9-103 to help the hosts bundle out Australia for 161 on the fifth and final day.
The visitors, who made 203 in their first innings, had been chasing a challenging 268.
Australian skipper Steven Smith provided some resistance with a gritty half-century before Steve O`Keefe and Peter Nevill frustrated Sri Lanka with a 178-ball partnership.
Herath bagged the last Australian wicket to fall by cleaning up O`Keefe, triggering wild celebrations in the Sri Lankan camp.
This was only Sri Lanka`s second Test win against Australia in 27 matches.
It was batsman Mendis (176) who set up the unlikely win for Sri Lanka with his superb maiden ton in his team`s second innings after the hosts overcame an 86-run deficit.
Sri Lanka lead the three-match series 1-0 as the action shifts to Galle for the second Test beginning August 4.
(With Agency inputs)
