Australia 85 for two (Khawaja 34*, Smith 23*) path Sri Lanka 257 (Kusal 85, Chandimal 74, Starc 3-37, Kuhnemann 3-63, Lyon 3-96) by 172 runs
However regardless of the wickets of opener Travis Head and Labuschagne in consecutive overs, Australia might be happy to succeed in lunch at 85 for two on a really dry floor with cracks rising.
There was intrigue over whether or not Sri Lanka’s spinners would take the brand new ball, however lone fast Lahiru Kumara began and Head loved the tempo with three early boundaries.
Skipper Dhananjaya de Silva surprisingly determined to share the brand new ball having not bowled within the first Take a look at because of a aspect pressure. Bowling from across the wicket, he beat the surface fringe of Khawaja with sharp spin in an indication of issues to return.
Head rattled alongside at a run a ball tempo till on 21 he used his ft to offspinner Nishan Peiris however was outdone by flip and a thick edge was taken at slip. All eyes have been on Labuschagne, who solely made 20 off 50 balls in Australia’s huge 654 for six declared within the series-opener.
Having not scored a Take a look at century because the 2023 Ashes tour, strain is mounting on Labuschagne along with his spot for this match attracting some consideration.
Smith, sporting his dishevelled inexperienced, had a nervous begin with an enormous lbw shout from Jayasuriya turned down as Sri Lanka burnt a evaluation. Having made three tons in his final seven Take a look at innings, Smith appeared to counter the sharp spin by skipping down the pitch whereas Khawaja unfurled the reverse sweep to good impact identical to he did in his double century final week.
They blunted Sri Lanka’s spinners, however there have been some nervous moments with Smith edging Jayasuriya simply in need of first slip moments earlier than lunch.
Peiris was ineffective within the first Take a look at with 0 for 189 off 41 overs and deemed lucky to retain his spot over legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay. However he was much more harmful in beneficial circumstances and bowled nicely in partnership with Jayasuriya.
Australia’s three specialist bowlers Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann did the majority of the heavy lifting and picked up three wickets apiece.
With Sri Lanka resuming at 229 for 9, Australia appeared to wrap up the innings rapidly amid stifling morning humidity. However they have been left pissed off with Mendis thwarting Lyon’s plans with very good sweeps that pierced quite a few fielders on the leg-side boundary.
Lyon fired a number of uncharacteristic free deliveries down the legside as Mendis lifted Sri Lanka previous 250. He discovered a prepared accomplice in Kumara, who in typical tailender trend enjoys a slog however he knuckled down impressively and supplied agency defence.
There have been weird scenes when Mendis on 77 was given not out for a caught down the legside off Lyon. The Australians began to stroll off after reviewing and so too a upset Mendis till the choice was upheld after no spike was detected on Extremely Edge.
Mendis had a century in his sights, however Kumara’s resistance lastly ended on his twenty sixth supply when he was nicely caught by Beau Webster at second slip to offer Kuhnemann his third wicket.
Tristan Lavalette is a journalist primarily based in Perth
