Lunch Sri Lanka 262 for 3 (Karunaratne 86, K Mendis 85, Mathews 49*, Chandimal 29*) trail Australia 364 by 102 runs
The partnership, worth an unbroken 76 by lunch, took Sri Lanka to within 102 of Australia’s total, as the visitors went through most of their bowling options during the opening session including taking the second new ball, with the prospect of applying significant third-innings pressure if they can bat well for the next two sessions.
Lyon’s reward came from a more attacking line than he had operated with for most of the second day, but Chandimal responded in attacking fashion himself when he advanced and dispatched consecutive deliveries for four and six. It was a sign that Sri Lanka were not going to sit back – both Chandimal and Mathews were proactive, but still willing to soak up quieter periods.
There were some moments of fortune. Mathews gloved a short ball from Pat Cummins over the keeper and in the next over Chandimal was beaten by a big-turning offbreak from Lyon that spun between bat and pad – it was an almost impossible stumping chance for Alex Carey.
Australia burned their last two reviews in quick succession shortly before the 80-over mark: first, they went up for an lbw against Mathews but there was a thin bottom edge, and then for a catch at silly point against Chandimal but there was only pad.
There continued to be turn on offer but the surface had yet to really start breaking up and it remained good for batting.