Jayasuriya gets ton-up Labuschagne but Aussies in command

Marnus Labuschagne was in sublime touch as he hit his first century away from home as Australia cruised to 204 for 3 at Tea on day one in the second Test here at Galle International Stadium yesterday. However, the right hander who was reprieved on 28 by wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella, missing a straight forward stumping opportunity finally had his man but by then Labuschagne had added 76 runs to his score to reach his seventh career century.

On the stroke of tea, debutant Prabath Jayasuriya enticed Labuschagne to come down the pitch but missed the ball completely as it turned away from the bat where Dickwella made no mistake this time with the stumping.

At tea, Australia are 3-204 and when play resumes, Head will be the new batsman.

Smith (52) is not out, and his third-wicket partnership with Labuschagne was worth 134.

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 Labuschagne 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.