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SL vs AUS 2nd Test Day 2 Highlights: Steve Smith, Alex Carey Ton Up To Swell Australian Lead

Aakash Saini

Steve Smith celebrating his century on Day 2 [Source: @cricketcomau/x]Steve Smith celebrating his century on Day 2 [Source: @cricketcomau/x]

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Australia strengthened its grip over Sri Lanka with a commanding batting display on Day 2 of the series-deciding second Test match at the Galle International Stadium on February 7. Steve Smith notched up his second century of the series, and the 36th of his Test career as the visitors march towards mounting an even bigger lead.

Here’s the timeline of how SL vs AUS panned out in Galle:

SL vs AUS Highlights: Kusal Mendis Fights On With Rebellious 10th-Wicket Stand

Resuming Day 2 at 229-9, overnight half-centurion Kusal Mendis took Sri Lanka past the 250-run mark with number 11 Lahiru Kumara. The two cricketers shared 33 fighting runs for the final wicket, with the tailender washing away 26 deliveries to score just two.

Mendis, however, pushed himself forward to 85* from 139 balls with 10 boundaries and a six. Both deprived Australian bowlers of a wicket for over 30 minutes of play, until Kumara edged one towards Beau Webster at second slip to hand Australian spinner Matthew Kuhnemann (3-63) his third wicket of the innings. With Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon also picking up three wickets each on Day 1, the Australians rounded up the hosts for 257 in 97.4 overs.

SL vs AUS Highlights: Sri Lankan Spinners Jolt Australian Top-Order

Travis Head started off with three confident boundaries to race to a near run-a-ball 21 before the raging Australian opener edged one off Nishan Peiris early in the innings. Head’s opening partner and last week’s double-centurion Usman Khawaja composed 36 runs from his end from 57 balls, but the senior left-hander also had his well-set stay halted by Peiris (2-70).

Prabath Jayasuriya also caught Australian number three Marnus Labuschagne plumb in front for just four as the visitors reached a sluggish 91-3 shortly after the lunch break.

SL vs AUS Highlights: Steve Smith, Carey Pound Big Centuries To Lead Australian Fightback

Forming forces at 91-3, Australian middle-order batters Steve Smith and Alex Carey batted out the remainder of Day 2, taking their team past Sri Lanka’s 257-run total in the process. Both cricketers even brought up their respective centuries, with Smith’s masterclass marking his second ton of the series and the 36th of his glittering Test career.

Smith remained unbeaten at 120* from 239 balls with nine boundaries and a six, while wicketkeeper-batter Carey scored at a much quicker pace to reach 139* off 156 deliveries with 13 boundaries and two sixes. With their unbeaten partnership of 239 runs, the Australian team gained a massive 73-run lead and will resume its first innings on Day 3 at 330-3 in 80 overs.