Overnight batsman Kaushal Silva scored a gritty half-century on Tuesday to stretch Sri Lanka’s lead to 163 against Australia’s persistent bowlers in a tight third and final Test in Colombo.
Advertisement
It’s hard to judge whether Australia are planning to chase all the way to the end of day five in Colombo, but they’ve at least made a positive start in pursuit of the massive victory target to win the third Test against Sri Lanka.
The day belonged to Silva, who batted with six stitches on the webbing of his little left finger after suffering an injury while fielding on Monday to make a composed 115. The time they spent at the crease was crucial as they built partnerships (highlighted by their own 211-run stand for the sixth wicket in Sri Lanka’s first innings) and ensured Australia had a tough target to chase.
Off-spinner Nathan Lyon claimed four for 123, the first of which was thanks to a weird stumping from Australia wicketkeeper Peter Nevill to dismiss Dimuth Karunaratne.
Coach Darren Lehmann wants his Australia players to feel “embarrassed” by their loss to Sri Lanka and learn the lessons of failure.
Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera dismissed Marsh for 23 when the batsman defended a delivery and Kusal Mendis thrust out his hands at forward short leg to parry the ball and twisted his body backwards to complete a stunning catch. But his counter-attack was halted when he was trapped lbw by Mitchell Starc, who has taken two wickets.
This 163-run victory gave Sri Lanka a 3-0 win in the three-match series.
The world number one side, gunning for a consolation win after losing the first two matches, were 77 for one at lunch, needing another 247 runs for victory. Chandimal top-scored with 132, while de Silva, who scored his maiden Test ton finished with 129 to rescue Sri Lanka. This news story is related to Print/143584-Herath-jumps-to-fifth-in-Test-rankings/ – breaking news, latest news, pakistan ne. Smith 119, M.R. Marsh 53; H.M.R.K.B.
Advertisement
Lyon struck in the first hour of play to get opener Dimuth Karunaratne stumped for 22, as Nevill clipped the bails off when the batsman’s foot was raised for a split-second.
