Australia took a 157-run lead after being bowled out for 414 at lunch on day three of the second Test in Galle. Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya triggered a collapse, taking 5 for 151 as Australia lost 7 for 64 after a dominant start.
Resuming at 330 for 3, Australia aimed to bat just once. Centurions Steven Smith (131) and Alex Carey (156) extended their fourth-wicket stand to 259, the highest by a visiting pair in Sri Lanka. However, Jayasuriya found sharp turn with the second new ball, dismissing Smith with a delivery that gripped off the surface.
Josh Inglis, batting lower after missing time due to a back spasm, lasted just two balls, bowled by Jayasuriya. Carey, who surpassed Adam Gilchrist’s highest score by an Australian wicketkeeper in Asia, brought up 150 but was bowled attempting a sweep.
Debutant Cooper Connolly, averaging 61.80 in first-class cricket, struggled on the spin-friendly track. He managed only four runs before miscuing a charge against Nishan Peiris to backward point. Peiris continued to trouble the Australians, but fielding lapses let them off. Pathum Nissanka dropped Mitchell Starc at short leg, while Kusal Mendis missed Beau Webster behind the stumps.
Webster, surviving an overturned lbw call, eventually fell to a sharp Ramesh Mendis offbreak. Australia’s lower order offered little resistance, allowing Sri Lanka to fight back. However, with a deteriorating pitch, their struggling batting lineup faces a tough second innings.
