Mitchell Starc got Australia off to a flyer in Sri Lanka’s second innings.
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However, from 7-2, Usman Khawaja (25no) and Steve Smith (28no) batted patiently to take Australia to 66-2 at tea before the heavens opened and curtailed the day’s play. But the bounce was generally true and as Smith and Khawaja began to show later in the day – before rain washed out the entire final session – good batting could be rewarded.
The downpour in Pallekele cast a further gloom over the Sri Lankan side after they recorded their lowest total at the picturesque ground, undone by a combination of Australian pace and spin.
Left-armer Starc, making his comeback after a long injury layoff, sent back Dimuth Karunaratne, with the opening batsman failing to get the umpire’s leg before wicket verdict overturned on review.
In his second spell he had vice-captain Dinesh Chandimal caught from behind by wicketkeeper Peter Nevill 10 minutes before lunch.
“When I met him I asked him: ‘We played together and respected each other, why are you telling lies?’, he told me that they have just made an inquiry”.
Off spinner Lyon who thrived in Australia’s last tour to Sri Lanka will partner with left-arm spinner Stephen O Keefe.
Dhananjaya de Silva (24) was the lone Sri Lankan batsmen who stayed for a while on the pitch for the hosts.
Smith echoed coach Darren Lehmann’s analysis when he said O’Keefe was “quite similar” to Sri Lanka’s wily match-winning threat, Rangana Herath.
“I think it’s not an issue”.
India thrashed the West Indies by an innings and 92 runs in the first Test in Antigua.
Australia were soon in trouble themselves in their first innings, losing both openers cheaply.
Joe Burns made only three before being bowled by the veteran Rangana Herath, leaving Australia wobbling on seven for two.
“A few of the guys who were here on the last series mentioned that if the quicks are going to get anything out of it, it’s going to be this Test, especially with the new ball”, Hazelwood said, reflecting on the fact that the remaining two venues have little to offer for the fast bowlers.
SL will be looking to take revenge for the earlier losses that they suffered against Australia; The team lost 0-3 at home in 2004 to Australia and in 2011 as well so they will be looking to beat Australia this time in this 3 test match series so that they can make their country proud.
TO BAT: A.C. Voges, M.R. Marsh.
Sri Lanka embark on that quest tomorrow morning at 1-6 – still 80 runs adrift – having lost opener Kusal Perera for four moments before the afternoon tempest arrived.
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The smaller island nation has won just a single Test against the larger in their playing history, and that when Australia’s friendly fire saw Jason Gillespie and Steve Waugh shoot off to hospital in a military helicopter.
