Australia vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test, Day 3 –
There were many exciting moments during the third day of Sri Lanka vs. Australia’s second Test match in Galle as both teams battled valiantly to obtain the upper hand. Late wickets gave Australia the advantage as they got closer to winning the series 2-0, despite Sri Lanka’s tenacity.
Key Performances and Match Scorecard
Sri Lanka 257 & 211 for 8 (Mathews 76, K Mendis 48*, Kuhnemann 4-52, Lyon 3-80) lead Australia 414 (Carey 156, Smith 131, Jayasuriya 5-151) by 54 runs.
Australia in Command Despite Sri Lanka’s Fightback
In the closing stages of day three, Australia’s bowlers, spearheaded by Matthew Kuhnemann and Nathan Lyon, delivered vital blows that ended Sri Lanka’s aspirations of establishing a competitive target. With a solid 70-run partnership, Angelo Mathews and Kusal Mendis attempted to shore up Sri Lanka’s innings, but Mathews’ removal for 76 changed the tide in Australia’s favor.
Sri Lanka’s chances of making a comeback now rest solely on Kusal Mendis, who is still undefeated at 48, with only two wickets remaining and a 54-run lead.
Key Moments from Day 3
Mathews and Mendis Lead the Fightback
With rapid wicket losses earlier in the day, Sri Lanka appeared destined for a three-day loss. They were battling at 39/3 after falling behind by 157 runs in the first innings. But with a strong partnership, Angelo Mathews (76) and Kusal Mendis (48*) rallied the innings and frustrated the Australian bowlers. With a spectacular six off rookie Cooper Connolly, Mathews hit his half-century, sparking optimism for a comeback from Sri Lanka.
Webster’s Impact with Ball and Fielding
Steven Smith, the stand-in captain, made a brilliant tactical move by passing the ball to Beau Webster just as Sri Lanka appeared to be settling. He successfully removed Ramesh Mendis for a duck with his off-spin. Later, Webster’s quick reactions in the field allowed him to remove Mathews with a spectacular diving catch at fine leg, ruining Sri Lanka’s chances of scoring a respectable score.
Australia’s Strong Bowling Performance
Matthew Kuhnemann: 4/52
Nathan Lyon: 3/80
Beau Webster: 1/16
Sri Lanka never really took control of the game thanks to Australia’s bowling onslaught. In the last over of the day, Kuhnemann dismissed important batters like Prabath Jayasuriya thanks to his especially potent left-arm spin.
Sri Lanka’s First Innings Struggles
Kusal Mendis was left stranded at 85 as Sri Lanka was dismissed for 257 in their opening innings. Despite a strong start, they were unable to take advantage of the fact that Australia’s bowlers kept breaking partnerships. After dismissing Dinesh Chandimal for 12, Nathan Lyon achieved a significant milestone by taking his 550th Test wicket.
Australia’s Batting Masterclass
The outstanding 259-run partnership between Steve Smith (131) and Alex Carey (156) was the foundation of Australia’s first innings total of 414. Carey’s innings surpassed Adam Gilchrist’s 144 to become the best score by an Australian wicketkeeper in Asia.
Key Batting Performances:
Alex Carey: 156 (Highest score by an Australian wicketkeeper in Asia)
Steve Smith: 131
Beau Webster: 31 (Crucial lower-order contribution)
Looking Ahead: Will Sri Lanka Make It Through Day Four?
On Day 4, Sri Lanka is up against the odds with just two wickets left and a slim 54-run lead. The secret to increasing their total and giving Australia a competitive goal is Kusal Mendis. However, it appears like Australia will win since the surface is becoming worse and their spinners are playing well.
As Australia attempts to sweep the series against Sri Lanka, stay in for more updates on this exciting Test match!
