On a dry Galle pitch that did not live up to the expectations, yet occasionally spun sharply, Australia’s three specialist bowlers worked hard throughout a seesaw first day against a spirited Sri Lanka. The surface is predicted to deteriorate dramatically.
After multiple changes of momentum, the second Test was curiously held at the end of ninety overs. Before losing 4 for 34 in a terrifying stretch before lunch, Sri Lanka’s top order established a solid foundation to reach 93 for 1. However, Sri Lanka reached what may be a competitive first innings total thanks to a partnership of 65 runs from seventh wickets between Kusal Mendis and Ramesh Mendis.
As Sri Lanka batted through the day’s play to reach stumps at 229 for 9, Kusal and Dinesh Chandimal both scored solid half-centuries.
Early Promise for Sri Lanka
There had been a lot of conjecture that this new surface would yield a lot of bite and turn since Sri Lanka’s worst Test cricket loss occurred on a slow surface. Although there were occasional sharp turns, particularly in the second session, Australia’s bowlers’ consistency and variety resulted in a number of easy dismissals.
Spin Takes Center Stage in the Second Session
After lunch, offspinner Nathan Lyon was brilliant, using a combination of lengths and speeds to deceive Sri Lanka and amass 549 Test wickets. Mitchell Starc, who is left-arm quick, added to his impressive record in Sri Lanka by hitting twice with the second new ball after conjuring reverse swing during a spectacular stint late in the second session.
Smith’s Tactical Masterclass
With Lyon and left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann doing the heavy work as they bowled 30 overs apiece, Australia was able to play with just three specialist bowlers.
Steven Smith, the acting captain, used his resources to good effect, as Travis Head bowled eight overs and, after dismissing Kamindu Mendis, showed that he might have a golden arm.
While left-arm spinning all-rounder Cooper Connolly bowled three overs on his debut after replacing offspinner Todd Murphy in Australia’s lone change, all-rounder Beau Webster bowled three overs of seam after not being asked to bowl in the first Test.
Sri Lanka’s Strategy: Changes to the Lineup
Sri Lanka made three changes: offspinner Ramesh Mendis and fast Lahiru Kumara were added at the loss of Jeffrey Vandersay and Asitha Fernando, and Pathum Nissanka took Oshada Fernando’s place at the top of the order.
Karunaratne’s Farewell and Starc’s Challenge
In his 100th and final Test match, retiring Dimuth Karunaratne was given the responsibility of attempting to help rebuild Sri Lanka’s damaged confidence after receiving a lengthy guard of honour en route to the crease, including from the Australians. After falling to Starc nine times before, including in the opening innings of the series opener, he too had to face his tormentor. However, after recovering from a groin injury to replace him, Nissanka primarily fought Starc and had a mixed record when it came to speeds of up to 145 kph.
Lyon’s Impact and Nissanka’s Resistance
After Australia reviewed, Kuhnemann, who had just taken nine wickets in his Test comeback, was also given the new ball and had a loud claim for leg before wicket on Nissanka rejected. The umpire’s judgment was upheld.
Despite a few anxious moments, Sri Lanka’s openers slowly increased in strength, with Smith switching back to Lyon in the eighth over. Lyon’s second throw, which went down the legside for four byes, had considerable spin and bounce and was aimed at Starc’s footworks.
Nissanka moved too far across his stumps in an attempt to paddle sweep, but Lyon didn’t have to wait long for a wicket after hitting the top of the leg stump. Australia was encouraged, but they had trouble making inroads against Sri Lanka’s disciplined batting, which was absent from the first Test.
Connolly had bowled 96 balls in his four prior first-class games without taking a wicket, and he was brought in soon before lunch. During the most recent BBL season, Connolly did establish a reputation for taking crucial wickets, but he was unable to score as Sri Lanka advanced to lunch in a strong position.
Before the game changed course, Chandimal scored a boundary off Lyon to continue play after the break.
In order to scare the stumps, Lyon changed up his pace and snuck a quicker delivery from around the wicket past Karunaratne’s defense. After dismissing Angelo Mathews twice in the first Test, he knew his number and proceeded to work over him with a great rhythm.
Before falling to a slower, broader Lyon ball and putting an edge into Alex Carey’s gloves, who has done a good job behind the stumps this series, Mathews crept to 1 off 25.
Lyon appeared to have taken his 550th wicket
When Kamindu was declared caught behind on three, Lyon appeared to have taken his 550th wicket; however, the decision was successfully reviewed, and no nick was found. After a heavy edge from an attempted cut shot sailed to Smith at slip, Kamindu was unable to capitalize and fell quite tamely to Head’s useful offspin.
As Kamindu’s problems persisted after starting the series with an average of more than 70, Head unfurled his now-familiar celebration, implying that his spinning fingers are burning.
Smith’s deployment of Head was another brilliant decision, and his instincts were once again validated when he handed the ball to Starc, who dismissed de Silva for a golden duck after he guided a wide delivery straight to gully.
On 74, after being tricked by Kuhneman in midair and losing his feet before being stumped by Carey’s brilliant glove work, Chandimal’s brave knock came to an end.
Similar to the first Test, Australia aimed to tear through Sri Lanka’s lower order, but Kusal counterattacked after being briefly unsettled by a contact with Kuhnemann at the non-striker’s end.
On successive deliveries, he successfully slog swept, with the last sailing past the rope. Namesake Ramesh, who has been in excellent batting form in first-class cricket, provided Kusal with helpful support.
In order to thwart a faltering Australian onslaught, they effectively rotated the strike and occasionally picked off boundaries.
