Sri Lanka ended Day 1 at 224/9 after opting to bat first. Kusal Mendis remained unbeaten on 59, and Dinesh Chandimal scored a crucial 71. Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc claimed three wickets each to keep Australia on top.Dimuth Karunaratne, playing his 100th and final Test, scored 36 before being bowled by Lyon.
Key Highlights:
Sri Lanka Opts to Bat but Faces Early Setbacks:
Sri Lanka chose to bat first, with Dimuth Karunaratne—playing his 100th and final Test—partnering Pathum Nissanka at the top. The openers cautiously added 19 runs in the first seven overs, showing respect for the Australian pace duo of Mitchell Starc and Matt Kuhnemann.
Nathan Lyon was introduced into the attack early by Steve Smith, and his experience paid off quickly. Nissanka fell victim to a reckless sweep shot, departing for a mere 14 runs after just four balls from Lyon.
Despite the early loss, Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal steadied the innings. Karunaratne looked confident, smashing a six and a four off Kuhnemann in the 17th over. However, the lunch break turned the tide in Australia’s favor.
Nathan Lyon’s Spell Changes the Game:
Just 15 balls into the second session, Lyon’s pace variation tricked Karunaratne, who was bowled for 36. Sri Lanka soon found themselves in trouble as Lyon struck again, dismissing Angelo Mathews with a wide delivery edged to the keeper.
Kamindu Mendis showed brief promise with a quick 13 off 21 balls, but Travis Head’s golden arm removed him with a sharp catch at first slip. Things worsened for Sri Lanka as captain Dhananjaya de Silva fell to Starc, driving hesitantly and getting caught behind, leaving the hosts struggling at 127/5.
Chandimal and Kusal Mendis Fight Back:
In the third session, Dinesh Chandimal attempted to lead a recovery but was caught off guard by a ball from Kuhnemann that spun past his bat. Alex Carey executed a sharp stumping, sending Chandimal back for a crucial 71.
Kusal Mendis and Ramesh Mendis then formed a crucial 65-run partnership, helping Sri Lanka cross 200. Kusal Mendis, realizing the urgency for quick runs, struck two commanding boundaries to bring up his fifty.
However, Starc returned with the new ball and quickly wrapped up the tail. He dismissed Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis in consecutive deliveries, reducing Sri Lanka to 224/9 by stumps.
Australia in Firm Control:
With Sri Lanka at 224/9, Australia holds the upper hand after a disciplined performance with both pace and spin. Nathan Lyon’s three-wicket haul, combined with Mitchell Starc’s lethal pace, kept the pressure on the hosts. Kusal Mendis’ unbeaten 59 offers a glimmer of hope for Sri Lanka on Day 2.
Stay tuned for Day 2 updates as Sri Lanka looks to add crucial runs and Australia aims to maintain its dominance.
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