Australia maintained a strong position in the second Test despite a stunning bowling performance from Sri Lanka’s Prabath Jayasuriya, who took five wickets in the morning session. His efforts helped Sri Lanka bowl out Australia for 414, but the visitors still held a commanding 157-run lead as the match progressed on day three.
Australia started the day at 330 for 3, with Steven Smith and Alex Carey continuing their record-breaking partnership. However, things quickly changed when Sri Lanka took the second new ball, and Jayasuriya found sharp turn and bounce, making batting much harder.
Smith was the first to fall, caught behind for 131 after playing a brilliant 254-ball knock. His dismissal marked the end of a 259-run partnership with Carey, the highest fourth-wicket stand by a visiting team in Sri Lanka. With Smith gone, Sri Lanka gained confidence, and Australia started losing wickets rapidly.
Josh Inglis, who had made a century in the first Test, had a tough time this time around. He survived an lbw appeal on his first ball but was bowled on the next delivery by Jayasuriya.
Carey, meanwhile, continued his aggressive batting and reached 150, surpassing Adam Gilchrist’s record for the highest score by an Australian wicketkeeper in Asia. However, his innings ended at 156 when he misjudged a sweep shot and was bowled by Jayasuriya.
Young debutant Cooper Connolly came in with high expectations, having performed well in domestic cricket.
He started confidently with a boundary but was dismissed for just four runs after a risky shot against Nishan Peiris. Sri Lanka's bowlers kept up the pressure, and Australia’s lower order struggled.
Beau Webster tried to hold the innings together but had some lucky escapes. He was given out lbw but successfully reviewed the decision. He was also dropped twice before finally being bowled by Ramesh Mendis. Mitchell Starc and the tailenders couldn’t add much, and Australia lost their last seven wickets for just 64 runs.
While Sri Lanka’s bowlers, especially Jayasuriya, turned the game around in the morning, their batters now face a tough challenge on a deteriorating pitch. With Australia holding a significant lead, Sri Lanka will need a strong second-innings performance to stay in the match.
Updated on 08 February, 2025 by MyFortune11 Team.