Aus in SL: Aussies take lead on delayed Day 3

Australia took a healthy first inning lead of 21 runs with five wickets in hand at tea on day two after rain and strong winds ruined three hours of play on day two of the first Test here at Galle International Cricket Stadium on Thursday (30).

Usman Khawaja (71), Alex Carey (43 not out) and Cameron Green (48 not out) all contributed to the score as they hit 135 runs in the first session.

If the morning rains and winds broke the hearts of few hundred spectators awaiting the start of second day’s play in the morning hours, the bright sunshine in the afternoon provided a perfect setting for an enthralling two session of cricket.

A makeshift stand at the Galle International Cricket stadium were among the many structures that collapsed as strong winds swept across the picturesque venue delaying the proceedings but when the match finally started at 1.45pm, Sri Lanka enjoyed early success.

Diving to his right, Dhananjaya de Silva who opened bowling from the Fortress end, held on to a spectacular catch to remove Travis Head of his own bowling when Australia had added just two runs to their overnight score of 98.

Head paid the price trying to play against the spin towards mid-wicket where a leading edge ballooned to the right of the bowler.

Soon after Usman Khawaja reached his 17th Test half century through a drive through the covers off de Silva and was threatening to score big after putting on a rapid 57-run stand with Cameron Green.

However, the introduction of Jeffrey Vandersay from the Fortress end made the breakthrough Sri Lanka was anxiously looking for when Khawaja was sharply grabbed in the fingertips by Pathum Nissanka at short-leg.

Trying to defend a ball that pitched on the middle, got a thick inside edge as Vandersay jumped in the air in celebration of his maiden scalp.

However, Alex Carey and Green then negated Sri Lanka’s spin threat effectively using their feet and employing the sweep and the reverse sweep.

They began the day with a deficit of 114 runs and despite losing two wickets, they were quick to erase the deficit batting aggressively—the best form of defence on a turning track.

Their partnership grew in stature and put Sri Lanka firmly on the back-foot. At tea they shared an unbeaten 76 runs off just 13 overs.

Ramesh Mendis who accounted for two wickets the previous evening was wicketless, as Lasith Embuldeniya who has been largely ineffective on a supportive track.