Despite such a macabre record, Australia arrived in Sri Lanka expecting to win the three-Test series and continuing their dominance over a team they had only lost once to in Test cricket in the past 33 years. Sure, part of their optimism was attributed to Sri Lanka spiraling as a Test force in the wake of batting icons Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene's retirements.
But Australia had good reason to feel confident about themselves after enjoying a honeymoon period since Steve Smith took over the captaincy from Michael Clarke late last year. Much goodwill has been fostered by Smith, who has galvanized an Australian team that was often fractured and bickering under the polarizing Michael Clarke.
Smith had won seven from 11 Tests (and no losses), propelling Australia to the number one ranking and one they hoped to consolidate in Sri Lanka. Bigger picture, one felt Australia had an eye towards the big ticket tour of India early next year and would use the Sri Lankan series as a welcome opportunity to hone their skills on subcontinent pitches. It was a perfect platform to legitimize their Test standing and restore some much-needed confidence in these arduous cricket conditions for Australian players.
But after a stunning 106-run defeat in the first Test in Kandy, Australia are now under serious pressure to win a series that appeared a formality, particularly when they dismissed Sri Lanka for a paltry 117 in the first innings on the opening day. Things slowly unraveled after that as Australia's ineptness against high-quality spin bowling once again reared with ageless spinner Rangana Herath and debutant Lakshan Sandakan weaving a hex on batsmen seemingly sinking in quicksand.
It was a baffling capitulation with Australia crumbling with the bat scoring mediocre totals of 203 and 161 on a pitch that was hardly a bunsen burner, as proven by 21-year- old Sri Lankan batsman Kusal Mendis, who deservedly was named man of the match for his brilliant game changing second-innings knock of 176.
Australia can't blame their opening calamity of the series on a lack of preparation, having spent a couple of weeks in Sri Lanka acclimatizing to conditions, a longer initiation than the current norm due to an increasingly crammed calendar. They have also been practicing on simulated spin conditions at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane, an expensive exercise for Cricket Australia but one it was willing to incur in a determined bit to help its national team overcame their kryptonite.
In the lead up to the first Test, Smith and his deputy David Warner talked publicly about Australia's batting approach revolving around a more sedate method of attack. Unlike faster pitches they are used to in Australia, batting on lower and slower sub-continent pitches can be particularly grinding because boundaries can be harder to consistently hit. It is highly important to rotate the strike and exude patience, virtues that were preached by the Australian camp but, ultimately, fell on deaf ears in Kandy.
Perhaps the turning point of the Test was Smith's rash dismissal early on day two when he unsuccessfully charged at Herath to be stumped for 30 as Australia's ironclad grip on the contest loosened and a stunning transformation soon ensued. Smith's recklessness, deemed a "brain explosion" by former Australian captain Allan Border, exemplified the team's difficulty in countering their natural instincts in this terrain. Playing a more conservative and grinding game has always been a challenge for Australia, who traditionally prefer a firebrand style to reinforce their aggressive mantra. Australia are most comfortable when they are snarling and in-your- face, intimidating opponents with their innate bravado.
Those hostile characteristics are less effective on the subcontinent, where pace bowling is negated on docile pitches and batting is tentative against beguiling spinners on favorable turning decks. Australia look notably less menacing without Mitchell Starc - or previously Mitchell Johnson - frightening batsmen even though the left-armer did make an impressive comeback to Test cricket with six wickets for the match.
Australia were also handicapped by an untimely hamstring injury to Steve O'Keefe, their left-arm spinner, which stymied Australia's efforts to limit Sri Lanka's lead. Worryingly, too few of Australia's top-order batsmen were able to heed their supposed newfound mantra of patience and, disastrously, reverted to their more cavalier ways. For inspiration and guidance, the specialist batsmen need look no further than wicketkeeper Peter Nevill and an incapacitated Stephen O'Keefe, who shared a ninth-wicket stand of four runs off 178 deliveries at a run-rate of 0.13. It is the lowest scoring rate in a partnership in Test history, with a minimum of 100 deliveries.
Perhaps Australia will shrug off some Test rust having not played since a highly successful series victory in New Zealand in February. Warner, who scored just one run for the match, is likely to bounce back although clearly he is still struggling from a broken finger sustained in the Caribbean in June. It was a timely reminder of the dynamic left-hander's influence, as Australia were limping without his trendsetting sizzle.
Still, there is little solace because, quite simply, it was an unfathomable loss and an infamous first Test defeat of Smith's reign. Australia has little time to stew over it with the second Test starting in Galle on Thursday (July 4), which is expected to be played on a rampant turner.
Australia are facing another decisive moment in the subcontinent with this suddenly intriguing series already slipping away. Lose this series and the goodwill manufactured since Smith took over will be wiped out. It will be a major blow for Australia's already battered reputation in subcontinent conditions and for Smith's fledgling reign.
Welcome to Test captaincy, Steve Smith.
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