Australia took firm control of the second Test against Sri Lanka, ending day one with the hosts stumbling to 229-9 at stumps at the Galle International Stadium. After winning the toss and opting to bat, Sri Lanka began positively, reaching 93-1 before facing a dramatic collapse. Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon spearheaded Australia’s bowling attack, each securing three wickets.
Dimuth Karunaratne, captaining Sri Lanka for the 100th and final time, was among the early scorers. He had been performing adequately until he misjudged a delivery from Lyon, leading to his dismissal for 36. This pivotal moment ignited Australia’s lethal bowling unit, which then dismantled the Sri Lankan middle order.
Dinesh Chandimal emerged as the mainstay for Sri Lanka, delivering a determined performance with the bat. His 74 runs featured six boundaries and showcased his ability to counter the pressure. But just as hope began to gather momentum for the hosts, wicketkeeper Alex Carey showcased remarkable skill, stumping Chandimal off the bowling of Matthew Kuhnemann.
Following Chandimal's departure, Sri Lanka's lower order struggled, leading to more wickets falling. Kusal Mendis, who remained unbeaten with 59 runs, formed some resistance alongside Ramesh Mendis, with the pair contributing a significant 65-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
Starc was relentless after Sri Lanka opted for the second new ball, swiftly taking the wickets of Ramesh and Prabath Jayasuriya off consecutive deliveries. The speedster's bowling, clocking above 145 kph, left the Sri Lankan tailenders reeling, allowing Australia to look poised to wrap up the innings quickly on day two.
Australia's dominance was evident not just through their bowlers but also from their disciplined approach to fielding and strategy. Despite high humidity and challenging conditions, the visitors maintained focus and executed their plans effectively, leaving Sri Lanka struggling at the end of the day.
Fans at Galle International Stadium, including former Australian players, witnessed bursts of brilliance from their team. Australia’s bowlers, particularly Lyon and Starc, were praised for handling the turning pitch with precision, ensuring Sri Lanka was unable to capitalize on their early good start.
With day two approaching, Australia aims to finish Sri Lanka's innings swiftly, targeting to make the most of the pitch, which is anticipated to deteriorate. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will look to Mendis, who has shown capacity to resist and anchor the innings under pressure.
The match promises more excitement as both teams recalibrate their strategies on the challenging Galle pitch, which may alter sharply as the match progresses. With the balance tilted heavily toward Australia, the pressure intensifies on Sri Lanka to counter and perform resiliently to recover from their batting woes.