Lunch Sri Lanka 262 for 3 (Mathews 49*, Chandimal 29*) trail Australia 364 by 102 runs
Sri Lanka continued to forge themselves a promising position in the second Test as experienced duo Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews formed a sturdy third-wicket stand to help overcome the early loss of Kusal Mendis.
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.
Australia struck in the third over of the morning when Nathan Lyon won an lbw appeal against Kusal from a delivery that spun sharply from outside off and caught him playing back. It came just a few moments after Lyon had an almost identical appeal turned down in the opening over when Michael Gough declined the shout. Australia reviewed and it was umpire’s call on height by the narrowest of margins.
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 with both Chandimal and Mathews remaining 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: firstly they went up for an lbw against Mathews but there was a thin bottom edge, 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.