Smith, Labuschagne centuries put Australia on top
Steve Smith made an unbeaten 109 while Marnus Labuschagne scored a fluent knock of 104 as Australia were in a strong position after the first day’s play against Sri Lanka in their second Test match played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium yesterday.
Australia chose to bat first, they played in a good positive mood to finish the day with a commanding lead of 298 for 5 wickets at stumps. The Sri Lanka spinners got four wickets out of five and are expected to get an early breakthrough today.
The openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja added just 15 runs in five overs as Warner was the first to be bowled out by Kasun Rajitha who replaced Asitha Fernando for this game. Khawaja, who was the highlight of the first Test, scored 37 only (77 balls with 4 fours) when he was dismissed by off-spinner Ramesh Mendis in the 22nd over.
Marnus Labuschagne, the 28-year-old South African-born right-hander and experienced Steve Smith came to the middle and repaired the innings as they added a 134-run stand for the third wicket. Labuschagne, who survived a missed morning stumping on 28 by wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella.
By the time Dickwella stumped Labuschagne off Jayasuriya, the batter had notched up his 7th Test hundred (104) off 156 balls, which included 12 fours. Leg spinner Prabath Jayasuriya claimed his maiden Test wicket in the 59th over.
Smith, the former skipper used his vast experience to face Sri the Lankan spinners playing an anchor role while also sharing a 34-run fourth-wicket stand with Travis Head who scored 12 runs in 36 balls as he was taken out by Jayasuriya while Cameron Green couldn’t stay long scoring only 4 runs when he was dismissed LBW to Jayasuriya claiming his third wicket. The wicket-keeper Alex Carey was remaining on 16 in 35 balls while Smith who scored his 28th Test hundred remain on 109 in 212 balls with 14 fours at the wicket at stumps.
The experienced leg spinner Prabath Jayasuriya who finished the day with 3 for 90 in his 28-over spell while Ramesh Mendis and Rajitha shared a wicket each.
Sri Lanka made four changes with three debutants leg Spinner Prabath Jayasuriya and mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana while former Richmond skipper Kamindu Mendis replaced Dhananjaya de Silva as he made his Test debut at his home ground at Galle. The paceman Kasun Rajitha was replaced for Asitha Fernando. Meanwhile, Australia played their unchanged side to get a result on this Galle wicket.