It is a big setback for Australia that they have slipped from first place to second, while South Africa is now on top with the highest number of points.
The International Cricket Council said, “South Africa take over as the new leader on the latest standings with a win-loss percentage of 71.43 per cent, while Australia are second in the current period with 70 per cent after losing their first Test ”
“Sri Lanka are now firmly geared up for next year’s World Test Championship final, with their victories helping them jump ahead of Pakistan, India and the West Indies.”
Sri Lankan spinner Prabhat Jayasuriya had a dream debut with a 12-wicket haul and veteran batsman Dinesh Chandimal was dismissed for an unbeaten 206 – his maiden Test double century.
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Cummins called the defeat a “reality check” for a team that won the opener within three days but then were eliminated on the fourth day of the second match.
Australian coach Andrew McDonald agreed with the captain, saying: “The reality is that some of our players haven’t been here before. So you can call it a reality check, because it’s a first experience.”
“It’s a sample size of one. We have an opportunity to learn from it. And we’ll take it. But we learned a lot in the first game as well.
“You can learn from victory and you can learn from defeat.”
Australia’s next Test is at home against West Indies in November, while Sri Lanka will host Pakistan for a two-match series starting on Saturday. These are all going to be decisive matches. Kane Williamson’s New Zealand won the first Test Championship final by defeating India in Southampton last year.