[WATCH]- Todd Murphy Dismisses Dimuth Karunaratne With A Stunner In SL vs AUS 2025 1st Test

Australia’s spinner Todd Murphy, wearing glasses, took his first wicket of the ongoing opening Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on Day 4 (February 1) after Dimuth Karunaratne‘s misjudgment led to his dismissal. The Victorian was clearly pumped as Australia secured their second breakthrough of the innings following the follow-on.

The wicket fell in the fourth over of Sri Lanka’s second innings when Murphy bowled around the wicket to the left-handed opener. The off-spinner’s delivery pitched outside off and veered in with the angle, catching Karunaratne by surprise. Expecting the ball to miss the stumps, Karunaratne left it, but it hit the off-stump, leaving the former Sri Lankan captain stunned.

You can watch the video here:

https://x.com/7cricket/status/1885562398938898588?s=46

Karunaratne (0) was unable to get off the mark. Earlier, Mitchell Starc had dismissed Oshada Fernando LBW, with the right-hander wasting a review before departing for a low score of 6.

After declaring at 654/6, the visitors bowled Sri Lanka out for 165 in their first innings on Day 3, having reduced them from 136-5. With just two days remaining in the Test, Steve Smith chose to enforce the follow-on.

Dimuth Karunaratne Faces Ongoing Struggles with Batting Form

The 36-year-old, dismissed by Starc for seven runs in the first innings, has been facing a prolonged struggle with his batting form. Despite scoring five half-centuries in 2024, the left-hander hasn’t registered a century since April 2023.

If Pathum Nissanka regains fitness for the second Test, Karunaratne may face the prospect of losing his spot at the top of the order. Australia showcased their batting strength to the fullest in Galle, with Usman Khawaja (232), Steve Smith (141), and debutant Josh Inglis (102) all scoring centuries to declare at 654/6.

Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann was the standout bowler in the first innings, taking five wickets, while Nathan Lyon claimed three. Mitchell Starc added two wickets, leaving the hosts 489 runs behind.

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