Published: Aug 05, 2016, 12:05 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 05, 2016, 12:09 PM (IST)
Sri Lanka are well on top at Lunch on Day 2 of the second Test at Galle. The hosts bowled out Australia for 106, and took forward a lead of 175 in the second innings. At the end of the first session, Sri Lanka were 31 for 3, with overall lead of 206. Earlier Australia started the day’s play at 54 for 2, trailing the hosts by 227 runs. But their batting unit was blown away by Rangana Herath, who got adequate support from Dilruwan Perera. Herath took four wickets in the session, including a hat-trick as Australia were dismissed for their lowest score against Sri Lanka. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Sri Lanka vs Australia 2016, 2nd Test at Galle
Australia started the Day 2 at 54 for 2, having lost David Warner in the final ball of the first day. Dilruwan Perera got the first wicket of the second day for Sri Lanka, dismissing Usman Khawaja for 11. And the very next ball of the next over saw Australian skipper Steven Smith getting dismissed by Herath, giving him his first wicket of the innings.
Mitchell Marsh and Adam Voges seemed to have weathered the storm in the next few overs, with the former taking on the bowlers. But just when it seemed things got better for the visitors, Herath caused havoc. He first dismissed Voges, who was caught brilliant at the covers by Karunaratne. Nevill came at the crease, and headed back to pavilion in no time.
Starc was the hat-trick wicket for Herath. After the umpire waved away appeals of lbw from Sri Lanka, Herath convinced his skipper Angelo Mathews in going for a review. At the naked eye, it seemed it was a poor call. But replays showed the ball hitting the top of the middle stump. Starc was adjudged out and Herath got his hat-trick and fourth wicket.
Next to fall was Josh Hazlewood, getting caught by Angelo Mathews of Perera’s bowling. Marsh showed bit of fight with few lusty blows in the end, but he was caught at the deep of Lakshan Sandakan’s bowling, meaning Australia were bowled out for 106, their lowest ever score against Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s delight didn’t stay long, as the openers were once again dismissed cheaply. First to go was Kaushal Silva of Hazlewood’s bowling, and soon, Karunaratne followed suit, getting dismissed by Starc. First innings saviors Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera got a small partnership going, before Starc dismissed the in-form Mendis. Skipper Mathews survived a lbw shout of Starc late on, and along with Perera, kept wicket intact till Lunch, with score at 31 for 3, and overall lead of 206.
(R Narayan is a reporter with CricketCountry, and is an ardent cricket and football enthusiast (big Manchester United fan). Having followed cricket since 2003, he likes high scoring matches as well as good fast bowling. His Twitter handle is @RNarayan24nov)
