SL vs AUS | 2nd Test | Day 2 | Confident Karunaratne, Mendis lead strong fightback for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka ended Day 2 at 184/2 in response to Australia’s total of 364 in the second Test fixture at Galle. 

Sri Lanka have managed to hold their fort well on the back of solid performances from Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis. In this pursuit, they put up the highest second-wicket stand (152) for Sri Lanka against Australia in red-ball history. 

Resuming from their overnight score of 298/5, Australian batters Steve Smith and Alex Carey started cautiously. 

However, Carey could add only 12 runs to his score before becoming the fourth victim of Prabath Jayasuriya. Then the tail-enders could not provide substantial contributions, and Australia’s innings ended on a score of 364, with Smith remaining unbeaten at 145. 

Featuring in his debut red-ball match, Maheesh Theekshana found Mitchell Swepson plumb-in-front and picked his maiden wicket. 

Another debutant Jayasuriya finished with figures of 6/118 in 36 overs. In this pursuit, he became the seventh bowler from the Island country to claim a five-for in his first red-ball match. 

It will be interesting to see if the 30-year-old can break the record of Praveen Jayawickrama, who finished with 11/178 in his first appearance. 

Afterwards, Mitchell Starc got the first breakthrough for the visitors in the form of Pathum Nissanka (6), courtesy of a blinder from Cameron Green. 

Then the pair of Karunaratne and Mendis tried to stabilize the ship, and added only 57 runs in 27 overs of the second session without losing their wickets.

However, the third session witnessed the duo steering the team briskly, and the odd boundaries improved their confidence. 

Batting on 44, skipper Karunratne smashed boundaries towards long-on off the opposition’s spinners in successive overs to reach his 30th Test fifty. 

Soon, Mendis completed his half-century as well. However, in the latter half of the session, Swepson provided respite to the visitors by dismissing Karunaratne for 86 off 165, laced with ten boundaries. 

At the end of the day, Sri Lanka are at 184/2, still trailing by 180 runs.  Mendis is unbeaten at 84, with Mathews at the other end at 6*. 

If they can find a way to extend their partnership tomorrow, Sri Lanka can could recover lost ground on Day 3. 

Brief Scores: 

Australia (1st innings) - 364/10 (110)

Smith 145*, Labuschagne 104; 

Prabath Jayasuriya 6/118

Sri Lanka (1st innings)- 184/2 (63)

Dimuth Karunaratne 86, Kusal Mendis 84*

Mitchell Starc 1/28