Mitchell Johnson, left, celebrates with wicketkeeper Matthew Wade after dismissing Tillakaratne Dilshan in the opening over of Sri Lanka's second innings in Melbourne.
(CNN) -- Mitchell Johnson was in danger of becoming the forgotten man of Australian cricket. Shunned by the selectors after an alarming loss of form, he spent a year out of the Test team as he struggled to overcome a foot injury.
But the 31-year-old is back with a bang, having terrorized Sri Lanka's batsmen to help the home side clinch a 2-0 series win in Melbourne on Friday.
The left-arm paceman was named man of the match after claiming six wickets and scoring 92 not out as the tourists crumbled to defeat by an innings and 201 runs -- Sri Lanka's third worst reverse in the five-day game.
Johnson, only playing because of injuries to other bowlers, followed up his four-wicket haul from Sri Lanka's first-innings 156 with a fiery spell that earned two more scalps and ended the tour of key batsman Kumar Sangakkara, who had scored 27.
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Sangakkara, who on the opening day joined the elite club of players to have scored 10,000 Test runs, needs surgery on a broken finger after being hit on the gloves by Johnson -- who also gave wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene a hairline thumb fracture in the first innings.
Neither Jayawardene nor bowler Chanaka Welegedara were able to bat due to injuries, and Sri Lanka collapsed to 103-7 all out in 24.2 overs. Two wickets fell in Johnson's opening over of the innings, one of them a run out.
"The plan through this Test match was to get up their batters and unfortunately for them they got a few injuries out of it," said Johnson, who passed the milestone of 200 wickets in his 49th Test.
"I think that intimidation factor definitely worked out there today. We found a bit of a weakness with them with the short ball ... They obviously didn't handle it as well as they would have liked."
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It marked a minor career resurrection for Johnson, who was Australia's main strike bowler until his form fell apart during the 2010-11 Ashes series against England.
"In the time I've had off I've been able to reflect on a lot of things. I had probably got to the stage where I listened to a lot of outside influences -- that doesn't affect me anymore. I'm just happy with how I've come back, and making the most of the opportunities I get," he said.
"It's not every day you get to play for your country, and I'm pretty proud of the fact I've played 49 Tests now. You've just got to look to the future and, if you get picked, go out there and make the most of it. That's what I'm doing ... and playing with a smile on my face.
"I've always been happy playing for Australia, it just got to the point where I was feeling the pressure. It happens in professional sports, you can feel the pressure and start to believe in things that are said or outside influences, and it just got to that point for me.
"I've moved past that. I'm 31, I've been around the game for a long time now and I think I've matured in that I have belief in myself and just go out there and play my game and do the best job I can."
Despite his heroics, Johnson is not guaranteed of starting the third Test in Sydney from January 3-7.
Mitchell Starc is expected to return after being rested, while debutant Jackson Bird made a strong impression as an opening bowler, taking two wickets in each innings.
"His control with the new ball is an area that I think we've been looking for," captain Michael Clarke said. "The one thing I really like about Jackson is you know what you're going to get.
"He bowled into the breeze the whole game and did a fantastic job for us. I think Birdy played a huge part in Mitch's success in the first innings, and it allows a bowler like Mitch to be able to attack."
Australia will be without key all-rounder Shane Watson, who has a calf injury, meaning Glenn Maxwell has the chance to make his Test debut after previous appearances in limited-overs internationals.
Meanwhile, India leveled the Twenty20 series against Pakistan with an 11-run victory in the second match at Ahmedabad on Friday.
The home side put on 192-5 after batting first, with Yuvraj Singh smashing 72 off 36 balls, sending seven deliveries over the boundary ropes.
Pakistan could not follow up Tuesday's five-wicket win in Bangalore, finishing on 181-7 after 20 overs. Ashok Dinda took 3-36 from his four overs.
It is the first bilateral series between the neighboring countries in five years. The three-match one-day series will start on Sunday.
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Johnson had earlier run out Dimuth Karunaratne in the same over as the tourists made the worst possible start before losing by an innings and 201 runs.
The Australian bowlers once again tested the visiting batsmen, who struggled to cope with short-pitched deliveries.
Man of the match Johnson was in fiery form, and one of his rising deliveries hit Kumar Sangakkara on the glove -- Sri Lanka's leading batsman was later diagnosed with a broken finger, ending his tour.
Johnson was earlier denied his second Test century, being stranded on 92 when Australia's first innings came to a close on 460.
Ponting holds daughter Matisse (R), as his wife Riannna carries daughter Emmy (L), following Australia's defeat in the third and final Test of the series against South Africa at the WACA ground in Perth.
The 37-year-old was given a guard of honor by his opponents when he went out to bat on day four. South Africa captain Graeme Smith later described Ponting as "the player I respect the most" following a record-breaking career.
Ponting, one of only three players to have scored more than 13,000 Test runs, managed a trademark early boundary as Australia chased a huge target of 623 to win.
However, he fell for just eight runs and the home side went on to lose by 309 for a 1-0 series defeat as South Africa retained the top Test ranking.
He was given a standing ovation by the 7,000-strong crowd, having matched Steve Waugh's record of Test appearances for Australia.
A fan shows his appreciation for Ponting, who won a record 48 Tests as captain and was involved in 108 victories overall.
John Wall of the Washington Wizards hits the floor after taking a shot against Kyle Korver of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on January 11 in Chicago.
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Devin Funchess of the University of Michigan celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the University of Massachusetts Minutemen on September 15 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Luke Patience, left, and Stuart Bithell of Great Britain celebrate after finishing second and winning the silver medal in the men's 470 Sailing on Day 14 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 10 in Weymouth, England.
Allen Craig of the St. Louis Cardinals breaks his bat during a hit against the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 24 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri.
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A gymnast performs during warmups before the start of the artistic gymnastics women's team final on Day 4 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 31 in London.
Maksim Veraska of Ukraine competes in the men's 200m IM - SM12 heat 2 on Day 5 of the London 2012 Paralympic Games on September 3 in London.
Brigetta Barrett of the United States celebrates after a jump during the women's high jump final on Day 15 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 11.
Derrick Martin of the New York Giants makes a video of head coach Tom Coughlin while they celebrate in the locker room after defeating the San Francisco 49ers 20-17 in the NFC Championship Game at Candlestick Park on January 22 in San Francisco.
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Running back Trent Richardson of the Cleveland Browns hits the ground hard after a play against the Baltimore Ravens on September 27 in Baltimore, Maryland.
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Berlin, right, battles with Hovex Lass during the 7th race at the Coral Brighton and Hove Greyhound Stadium on March 21 in Brighton, England.
Aisen Chen and Huo Liang of China dive during the synchronized men 10-meter platform final on Day 4 of the AT&T USA Diving Grand Prix on May 13 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Senyue Deng of China competes in the individual all-around rhythmic gymnastics on Day 13 of the London 2012 Olympics Games on August 9.
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A competitor runs along the beach during the 2012 Bondi Barefoot Race at Bondi Beach on May 27 in Sydney, Australia.
Ning Ding of China plays a forehand during the women's singles table tennis quarter-final match against Ai Fukuhara of Japan on Day 4 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 31.
The Syracuse Orange and San Diego State Aztecs play during the Battle On The Midway college basketball game on the deck of the USS Midway on November 11 in San Diego, California.
Robin Nahas of the Richmond Tigers is tackled during an AFL match against the Port Adelaide Power at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 2 in Melbourne, Australia.
Xin Wang of China reaches for a shot hit by Xuerui Li of China in the women's singles badminton semi-final on Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 3.
Switzerland's Fabienne Suter falls during the super combined slalom of the women's Alpine Skiing World Cup event on January 27 in St. Moritz, Switzerland.
Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees injures his leg playing against the Detroit Tigers during Game 1 of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 13.
Kei Nishikori of Japan serves during his quarterfinal match against Andy Murray of Great Britain on Day 10 of the 2012 Australian Open on January 25 in Melbourne, Australia.
A young fan runs in front of the peloton during stage two of the USA Pro Challenge on August 21 in Sapinero, Colorado.
Ryan Harwood of the Brisbane Lions and James Magner of the Melbourne Demons compete for a mark during an Australian Football League match on July 1 in Brisbane, Australia.
Julianna Naoupu of the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic lies amongst the confetti after winning the Australian and New Zealand Netball League Championship match against the Melbourne Vixens on July 22 in Melbourne, Australia.
Alviro Petersen of South Africa fields the ball during day five of the third Test match between New Zealand and South Africa on March 27 in Wellington, New Zealand.
Dong Cheng, left, of China fights against Erika Cruz Hernandez, right, of Mexico in the Women's 60kg preliminary match during the AIBA women's world boxing championships on May 14 in Qinhuangdao, China.
Fans watch from the stands as Kurtley Beale of the Australian Wallabies looks to pass during the International Rugby Test match against Wales on June 23 in Sydney, Australia.
A surfer rides a wave at Bronte Beach on May 8 in Sydney, Australia.
Jonte Green of the Detroit Lions loses his helmet while being stiff-armed by Bobby Rainey of the Baltimore Ravens as Ricardo Silva tackles him on August 17 in Baltimore, Maryland.
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Riders race in the AAMI Victoria Derby during Victorian Derby Day at Flemington Racecourse on November 3 in Melbourne, Australia.
Papiss Cisse of Newcastle United celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on May 2 in London.
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Athletes rest at the finish line of the women's marathon on Day 9 of the London 2012 Olympics on August 5.
Justin Maneri of the Lehigh Mountain Hawks dives into the scorer's table after attempting to save the ball in the first half against the Duke Blue Devils during the second round of the 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum on March 16.
North Korea's Mi Gyong Choe, in red, competes against Poland's Monika Ewa Michalik in the women's freestyle 63-kg wrestling match on Day 12 of the London 2012 Olympics on August 8.
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John Daly of the United States plays a shot from the trees during the first round of the UBS Hong Kong Open on November 15.
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DeSean Jackson of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates a touchdown during the game against the New Orleans Saints on November 5 in New Orleans. The Saints won 28-13.
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Aaron Hill of the Arizona Diamondbacks safely slides in to score a run past catcher Buster Posey of the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field on April 8 in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks defeated the Giants 7-6.
Richard Whitehead of Great Britain celebrates winning gold in the Men's 200-meter T42 final on Day 3 of the London 2012 Paralympic Games on September 1.
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Allister Carter of England competes against Ronnie O'Sullivan of England during the final of the Betfred.com World Snooker Championship on May 6 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England.
The Vanuatu women's national cricket team celebrates during a match against Japan at Independence Park during the ICC East Asia Pacific Women's Championship on May 17 in Port Vila, Vanuatu.
Jason Richardson, left, and Carmelita Jeter celebrate after placing third in the women's 200-meter and men's 110-meter finals at the London 2012 Olympics on August 8.
French rugby player Sebastien Chabal, right, packs down against another player during a Balmain Club rugby training session at King George Park on February 23 in Sydney.
Great Britain's Micah Richards, top left, goes for the ball against South Korea's Jung Sung-ryong and Ji Dong-won in the men's football quarterfinal match on Day 8 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 4 in Cardiff, Wales.
Thailand's Kaokaew Pornchai returns a shot to Indonesia's team in the men's kick volleyball semifinal during Day 3 of the ISTAF Super Series on February 25 in Palembang, Indonesia.
Manuel Minginfel of the Federated States of Micronesia competes in the men's 62-kilogram weightlifting on Day 3 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 30.
C.J. Sapong of Sporting KC does a backflip after scoring during the Major League Soccer game against the Toronto FC on June 16 in Kansas City.
Nikki Johnson of the Western Conference is tackled during first game of the Lingerie Football League All-Star Tour on June 2 in Brisbane, Australia.
James Reveley falls from Wayward Frolic during the Gain Horse Feeds Novices' Steeple Chase on November 6 in Exeter, England.
Hampshire batsman Simon Katich is run out by Yorkshire keeper Jonny Bairstow during the final of the Friends Life T20 between Hampshire and Yorkshire at SWALEC Stadium on August 25 in Cardiff, Wales.
Riders take a jump in the men's BMX cycling semifinals on Day 14 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 10.
Andy Murray of Great Britain celebrates his 7-5, 7-5 win against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the semifinal of men's singles tennis on Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 3 in London.
Dez Bryant of the Dallas Cowboys dives to makes a catch for a 30-yard touchdown as Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie of the Philadelphia Eagles defends on November 11 in Philadelphia. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles 38-23.
From left, Rafal Murawski and Marcin Wasilewski of Poland vie for the ball with Sergei Ignashevich of Russia during the Group A preliminary round match of the UEFA EURO 2012 between Poland and Russia in Warsaw, Poland, on June 12.
Competitors run under the Sydney Harbour Bridge during the Sydney Running Festival on September 16.
John Kuhn of the Green Bay Packers dives in for the touchdown over Aaron Ross of the New York Giants during their NFC divisional playoff game on January 15 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
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Tendulkar cemented his place in history when in March he became the first cricketer to score 100 international centuries. The 39-year-old insists cricket will remain his priority, adding: "I have been nominated because I am a sportsman and not a politician."
Tendulkar's supporters held a hunger strike on April 24, demanding the government award him India's highest civilian award. Chairperson Justice Markandey Katju hit back, arguing that giving the Bharat Ratna to cricketers and film stars who have "no social relevance" makes a mockery of the prize.
Tendulkar, pictured with his wife Anjali, was honored at the "Real Heroes Awards" ceremony in Mumbai in March, run by the Reliance Foundation and CNN affiliate broadcaster CNN-IBN.
Tendulkar visited the residence of Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed, right, to mark his achievement.
He had been stuck on 99 since the 2011 World Cup, when he closed to within one of the milestone with a ton against South Africa. Tendulkar helped India win the final against co-hosts Sri Lanka in his home city of Mumbai on April 2. He scored only 18 in that match, but was India's top runscorer as his country won the 50-over tournament for the first time.
Cricket fans had been waiting for the milestone, which came 33 innings after the South Africa game. Tendulkar went close during India's disappointing tour of Australia -- against whom he has scored 20 tons, more than any other nation.
Tendulkar is the first and only player in cricket history to score 15,000 Test match runs, achieving the feat in November 2011.
Having scored a triple century as a schoolboy, and then passing 100 on his first-class debut in 1988, Tendulkar made his international debut the following year at the age of 16 against Pakistan.
Tendulkar scored his first international century in the five-day format the following year on India's tour of England, hitting 119 not out in the second Test at Old Trafford.
Debate still rages as to whether Tendulkar can be considered greater than Australian legend Donald Bradman, whose Test career ended in 1948 with an incredible average of 99.94, scoring 6,996 runs in 52 matches.
England's players applaud after Tendulkar scores 193 in Leeds in 2002, passing Bradman's record of 29 Test centuries. He has now played 188 Tests, notching 51 hundreds.
Tendulkar, left, became Test cricket's highst runscorer in October 2008 when he passed Brian Lara's previous record of 11,953 during a home series against Australia.
Tendulkar's next foray into three figures saw him become the first batsman to score 200 in a 50-over international -- against South Africa on February 25, 2010. Indian schoolchildren in Amritsar celebrated their national hero's landmark feat.
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