February 9, 2025: After leading his side to a dominant nine-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second Test, Australian skipper Steve Smith expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance and their ability to adapt to the challenging conditions in Asia. This win secured Australia’s first series victory in Sri Lanka in 14 years, a moment of redemption for Smith and his team after the 0-3 loss they suffered in 2016.
In the post-match presentation, Smith reflected on the series, saying, “It was a really good series. We played well from the outset. The way the batters were able to adapt was outstanding. All of our bowlers did a terrific job, Mitchell Starc included. And the spinners went to work.” He credited the team’s preparation, including a solid training camp in Dubai before the series began, for their success in adapting to Sri Lanka’s conditions.
Smith highlighted the different batting styles among his team members, noting, “All of our batters bat differently. Usman and Carey like to sweep a lot, me and Marnus use our feet.” He also praised Alex Carey’s exceptional performance, particularly his partnership with Steve Smith, which helped set up Australia’s dominant position in the game.
As captain, Smith admitted that he enjoys captaining in Asia, acknowledging the intricacies involved in the conditions. “I enjoy captaining in this part of the world. All the movements you need to make, the intricacies involved,” he said.
Smith’s leadership, combined with outstanding performances from his teammates, including Mitchell Starc, Marnus Labuschagne, and the spinners, secured Australia’s historic series win, and the team left Sri Lanka with plenty to celebrate after an impressive series performance.