Australia wrapped up the first session on 99 for 2 after they elected to bat first in the second and final Test here at the Galle International Stadium.
Australia, despite losing both openers before the first break, batted with intent and aggression as they scored runs at a healthy run-rate of 3.30.
Sri Lanka stacked its bowling armoury with a flurry of spinners that included three debutants: Kamindu Mendis (primarily off-spin but he can also bowl left-arm orthodox); Maheesh Theekshana (mystery spin) and Prabath Jayasuriya (left-arm orthodox).
Additionally, there is off-spinner Ramesh Mendis as Sri Lanka look to level the two-match series following their humiliating 10-wicket loss in the first game. The home team were forced to make these changes after several of its key players—Dhananjaya de Silva, Jeffrey Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrema and Asitha Fernando—were ruled out after contracting Covid 19.
However, it was seamer Kasun Rajitha who came in for Asitha Fernando (Covid 19 positive) who made the early breakthrough for Sri Lanka when he ripped through David Warner’s defence to disturb the off stump.
Rajitha has been bowling a tight line and length, leaving little room for the aggressive Warner to free his arms. And his fifth delivery in the third over angled back as Warner played down the wrong line and had his off stump rattled.
Australia lost its first wicket on 15, after electing to bat first with an unchanged team but a steady partnership between Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschange took their score to 70 before Ramesh Mendis claimed his first wicket of the game.
Khawaja was the most comfortable-looking batsman in the morning session but was defeated by a perfect off-spin delivery that beat his defence to rattle the top of the off stump. The left-hander made 37 with four boundaries sharing 55 runs for the second wicket with Labuschange. Mendis almost had his second scalp four overs later but Dickwella fumbled behind the wicket to let Labuschange off. The left-hander charged down the track and was beaten on the outside edge but Dickwella missed a regulation chance to take the bails off.
Sri Lanka trails the two-match series 1-0 after losing the opening game by 10-wickets.
Sri Lanka 1st Innings
David Warner b K Rajitha 5
Usman Khawaja b R Mendis 37
Marnus Labuschange not out 42
Steven Smith not out 13
Extras (b1, nb1) 2
Total (for 2 in 30 overs) 99
Yet to bat: Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Swepson
FoW: 1-15, 2-70
Bowling: Rajith 8-2-23-1, Mendis 15-0-49-1, Theekshana 2-0-8-0, Jayasuriya 5-0-18-0
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