Australia fail to score a single run in over 25 overs as they lose first Test to Sri Lanka

GUTSY Steve O’Keefe and Peter Nevill batted for 25 overs without scoring a run as Australia lost the first Test to Sri Lanka in Pallekele.

The pair put on four runs in almost 30 overs  for  the slowest partnership  in Test history.

The ninth-wicket stand lasted for 178 balls and the final 154 deliveries of the Australians’ innings did not produce a  single run.

But Sri Lanka debutant Dhananjaya de Silva finally had Nevill caught behind.

Then O’Keefe, who had been severely hampered by a hamstring injury, was bowled by the left-arm spinner Rangana Herath.

Chasing 268 to win, Australia were bowled out for 161 to record Steve Smith’s first Test loss as captain.

Herath, having taken four first-innings wickets, claimed five in the second to spin Sri Lanka to  only their second victory in Tests over Australia.

Sri Lanka had been shot out for 117 in the first innings and were 6-2 in the  second before Kusal Mendis earned the man-of-the-match award with an epic 176.

Smith, whose 55 was one of only two 50-plus scores in the match, said: “Credit to Kusal, the way he played and scored 176, which certainly turned this game.”

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews said: “I don’t have words to explain after a very hard few months. We regrouped, trained really well and prepared to the best.”