Australia officially started their tour of Srilanka on tuesday. As expected Australia played aggressively and dominated Sri lanka and are well on top at the end of day 2.
Srilanka’s horrible run continues in test cricket continues. On the pitch which was offering something for the pacers Sri lanka’s batting order collapsed. Both the openers was dismissed by Mitchell Starc and Hazlewood respectively. Kushal Mendis didn’t impressed either as he was dismissed for a mere 8 runs by Hazlewood. It was then up to Sri lanka’s most experienced batsman Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal to bail Sri lanka out of trouble. Both got onto a start but were dismissed for 15. Dhananjaya the debutant and Kushal Perera played some attacking cricket but were dismissed by the spin duo of Lyon and Steve O’Keefe. Australian bowler was giving nothing away. They were bowling tight line and length. After the rain break it was just a matter of time when Australian bowlers ran through the lower order and Sri lanka was all out for a just 117.
Australia’s innings didn’t start of as they really wanted, there inform batsman David Warner was dismissed for 0 by Pradeep, soon after that Herath got the wicket of Joe Burns and Australia were struggling at 7-2. In came the skipper Steve Smith and wasted no time and started playing his natural game. He along with Khawaja made sure that no more wickets fall till the end of the day. Australia ended the rain curtailed day on 66-2 and was well on top the game. Day 2 started with Sri lanka fighting back. Herath picked both the overnight batsman and Sri lanka was back in the game. After that Voges and Mitch Marsh batted well and added 60 runs for the 5th wicket before Marsh was dismissed by Sandakan. It is said that one wicket brings two same happened with Sri lanka as Herath picked Peter Nevill for just 2. Adam Voges then batted with the tail for some time but was dismissed by Pradeepfor 47 and Australia was bowled out for 203 but not before thay had a healthy lead of 86 in the 1st innings.
Sri lanka didn’t get to good start in the 2nd innings as well Kusal Perera was dismissed by Starc for just 2 before rain came and Sri lanka ended day 2 on 6-1 still behind by 80 runs. Considering the deteriorating pitch and Sri Lanka’s batting form, they will have to bat of their skin to put any sort of challenge infront of the ruthless Aussies who are well on course to win the 1st test.
