After securing the primary Take a look at in Galle by an enormous margin of an innings and 242 runs, Australia stored up the momentum within the second with one other dominating efficiency on the similar venue.
Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka solely managed to place up 257 within the first innings with Nathan Lyon spinning his internet to rattle the top-order together with Matt Kuhnemann.
Solely Dinesh Chandimal (74) and Kusal Mendis (85*) supplied some respite for the hosts. Lyon and Kuhnemann picked up three wickets every and have been ably supported by Mitchell Starc who slowed down the lower-middle and lower-order, additionally claiming three wickets.
In reponse, after a rocky begin, the reliable pair of Steve Smith and Alex Carey got here to Australia’s rescue, placing up an enormous double-century stand and citing their respective a whole lot. Because of the duo, the guests gained an important 157-run first-innings lead.
Each Lyon and Kuhnemann have been equally agressive within the second innings because the Sri Lankans had no solutions to their onslaught. Kusal Mendis introduced up one other fifty and Angelo Mathews fought with a 76 however a lot of the batters didn’t convert their good begins.
In the long run, Sri Lanka solely manged a 74-run lead and with virtually 2 days of play left, Australia achieved the meagre goal dropping only one wicket.
