Australia's utter dominance on the proceedings in Galle continued on a hot Day 3 as Sri Lanka were five down in the morning session, while still staring at a deficit of 518 runs when rain forced an early Lunch break.
Australia have piled up 654/6d in their first innings to which the hosts Sri Lanka are reeling at 44/3 at the end of day's play on day 2 of the 1st Test between both the teams. SL's Kamindu Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal were at the crease and will require to do the bulk of the work when day 3 action resumes in Galle on Friday.
Australia has Sri Lanka three down after opener Usman Khawaja’s first double century and a ton on debut by Josh Inglis helped the tourists to 654-6 declared in the first match on Thursday.
Usman Khawaja's double century, complemented by emphatic hundreds from Steve Smith and debutant Josh Inglis, propelled Australia to an unprecedented score in Galle. Declaring at 654/6, they left Sri Lanka struggling at 44/3,
Follow the LIVE Updates from Day 3 of the first Test between Sri Lanka and Australia being played at the Galle International Stadium.
After Usman Khawaja and Josh Inglis starred with the bat, Australia's bowlers found early wickets on day two of the first Test against Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka and Australia will renew their rivalry in a two-Test home series starting tomorrow at the Galle Stadium. ..
Steve Smith became the 15th member of test cricket's 10,000-run club as he and opener Usman Khawaja smashed hundreds to help Australia rack up 330 for two on the opening day of the first test against Sri Lanka in Galle on Wednesday.
Sri Lanka is staring down the barrel at 44-3 after Australia achieved its largest ever total in Asia — 654-6 declared — on day two of the first test in Galle.
But how the surface plays here in Galle is just part of the wider fascination of Test cricket in this coastal setting near the southern tip of Sri Lanka. There are other factors too that add to the drama around what plays out in the middle.
Australia's stand-in skipper Steve Smith called it right at the toss and has opted to bat first at the Galle International Stadium
After what was a batting collapse on Day 2 for Sri Lanka, the home side will be looking to pose a better answer in front of the Australia bowling attack featuring the likes of Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon.