Galle: Sri Lanka in a strong position in the second cricket test once morest Australia despite the riots in the country. Sri Lanka ended Australia’s first innings for 364 runs on the second day at the rate of 184 runs for two wickets. Kushal Mendis (84) and Angelo Mathews (6) are at the crease. Yesterday, Lanka lost the wickets of openers Pathum Nisanka (six) and captain Dimuth Karunaratne (86 runs including 10 fours off 165 balls). With eight wickets in hand, Australia need 180 more runs to cross the first innings score.
Lankan bowlers managed to bowl out Australia for 364 runs, who resumed batting on the second day at 298 runs for five wickets. Debutant Prabhat Jayasuriya’s brilliant performance with six wickets helped Lanka to hold on to the Aussies who raced to a huge score. Jayasuriya took six wickets for 118 runs including three maidens in 36 overs. Jayasuriya also wanted to welcome him by taking five wickets in the maiden Test.
Former captain Steve Smith, who remained unbeaten with a century on the first day, remained unbeaten at the crease yesterday. Smith scored 145 off 272 balls, including 16 fours. Even when wickets fell at one end, the Aussies reached 364 on the strength of Smith. The Aussies first lost the wicket of wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who continued to bat with 16 runs yesterday.
Carey returned following catching Jayasuriya’s ball with 28 runs. No one who came later might find the double. Mitchell Starc (one), captain Pat Cummins (five), Nathan Lyon (five) and Mitchell Swepson (three) succumbed in quick succession and the Aussies ended the first innings too.
Apart from Smith, Marnes Labuschage’s century (104) strengthened the Australian innings. Apart from Jayasuriya who took six wickets for Sri Lanka, Kasun Rajitha took two wickets, Ramesh Mendis and Mahish Thikshna took one wicket each.
In reply, Lanka’s first wicket fell when 12 runs were scored on the scoreboard. Mitchell Starc got Australia off to a flying start by dismissing opener Pathum Nisanka for six runs off 25 balls. But with the arrival of Kusal Mendis along with captain Dimuth Karunaratne, Lankan gave life to the innings. Michen Swepson gave Australia the breakthrough as they both scored half-centuries. Swepson, who scored 86 runs, trapped the captain at LB.
Angelo Mathews, who came in at number four, settled for six runs off 36 balls as Lanka ended the second day without the loss of more wickets.
