SL vs AUS | 2nd Test | Day 3 | Chandimal, Mendis ring alarm bells for Australia

Sri Lanka have gained total control of the second Test fixture against Australia at the end of Day 3 at Galle. They are at 431/6 and have taken a sizeable lead of 67 runs. 

The Dimuth Karunaratne-led side began the day on 182/3, with Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mathews as their batters. However, they lost the wicket of Mendis (85) in the third over, courtesy of Nathan Lyon’s delivery which spun sharply and caught the batter plumb-in-front. 

Then, Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal had the responsibility to steady the ship of the home team. 

Chandimal gained momentum after hitting a six towards the Long-off area to Nathan Lyon. Mathews joined as well, with his perfectly timed shots. 

The partnership was worth 72 by the end of the first session, and the experienced duo negated the skilful Lyon well. 

In the early part of the second session, Mitchell Starc got the ball to tail-in, which caught an inside-edge from Mathews, and got holed out brilliantly by Marnus Labuschagne at Short-leg. 

A few overs later, Australia could not review the Chandimal’s edge, as they had already used their quota, giving the batter a reprieve at 30. In the very next delivery, the 32-year-old hit a boundary towards the Mid-off region to rub salt into the wound of the visitors. 

Afterwards, the debutant Kamindu Mendis displayed terrific composure and hit boundaries all over the park. Along with him, Chandimal was proactive in steering the team at a brisk rate. 

Soon, Mendis reached his fifty, and it was the first time for Sri Lanka, with their five batters scoring 50+ runs in a Test innings against Australia.

Chandimal slammed his 13th hundred after taking a quick single, with a nudge towards the silly Mid-off area. 

The ship was sailing smoothly for the home team, but the rash shot from Mendis witnessed him getting bowled by Swepson. The half-volley ball spun sharply to take the middle stump. 

Soon, Niroshan Dickwella (5) made his way back to the pavilion by getting holed out in the Mid-on area off Lyon. The wicket-keeper charged towards the spinner but only managed to find Pat Cummins. 

At the end of the day, Sri Lanka were at 431/6 and leading by 67 runs. Chandimal is unbeaten at 118, while Ramesh Mendis is on 7*. 

It will be interesting to see if Sri Lanka can strengthen their lead in the morning session of Day 4 and put Australia under severe pressure. 

Brief Scores: 

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

Smith 145*, Labuschagne 104; 

Prabath Jayasuriya 6/118

Sri Lanka (1st innings)- 431/6 (149)

Dinesh Chandimal 118* (232), Kamindu Mendis 61 (137);

Mitchell Starc 2/47, Mitchell Swepson 2/90

Day 3: Stumps - Sri Lanka lead by 67 runs