Chandimal stars with century as Sri Lanka take lead on the third day

GALLE: Sri Lanka’s middle-order batter Dinesh Chandimal scored a magnificent century after the valiant fifties from Kamindu Mendis and Angelo Mathews to put the home side ahead of Australia on the third day of the ongoing second Test.

Following the batting masterclass from Chandimal, the hosts finished at 431/6, 67 runs ahead of Australia’s first innings total of 364.

Resuming at an overnight score of 184/2, the hosts found themselves in the driving seat after the conclusion of the third day despite an unwanted start as the side lost their overnight top-scorer Kusal Mendis.

Mendis could only manage to add one run to his overnight score as he walked back to the pavilion in the third over of the day after scoring 85. He faced 161 deliveries and smashed nine boundaries.

Following his departure, Mathews and Chandimal carried the proceedings for the team and put them into a commanding position with an astonishing 83-run partnership for the third wicket.

The veteran all-rounder Mathews, who played a valiant fifty-plus knock for his team, could not go big as Aussie left-arm pacer Mitchel Starc removed him for 52. The right-handed batter faced 117 deliveries in the course of his gritty knock and smashed four boundaries.

Following his departure, Kamindu stood up for his team and put on another key partnership for Sri Lanka. The duo added 133 runs for the fifth wicket before Mitchel Swepson claimed his second wicket by casting the left-handed batter for a magnificent 61 off 137 balls, laced with seven boundaries.

Wicketkeeper batter Niroshan Dickwella, on the other hand, could not capitalize on the solid foundation as he could only manage to score five runs in the course of his brief knock.

Sri Lanka’s top-scorer Chandimal then put on a handy 22-run partnership with Ramesh Mendis till the conclusion of the third day. Their valiant stand bolstered Sri Lanka to finish at 431/6.

Chandimal remained unbeaten with his terrific 118 off 232 deliveries with the help of 10 boundaries including a six, while Ramesh scored seven not-out. The duo will now resume the proceedings for Sri Lanka on the fourth day of the second Test.

For Australia, Nathan Lyon, Starc, and Swepson bagged two wickets each.

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Mendis, Karunaratne keep Sri Lanka in the hunt after Jayasuriya’s six-for

GALLE: SriLanka top-order batter Kusal Mendis and skipper Dimuth Karunaratne scripted an astounding reply from the home side with brilliant half-centuries before Prabath Jayasuriya restricted Australia to 364 by finishing with the second-best figures by a Sri Lankan on Test debut.

Resuming at an overnight score of 298/5, Australia could only manage to add 66 runs on the second day despite their overnight centurion Steve Smith’s unbeaten knock of 145.

Smith, who ended his century drought with a magnificent 104* on the opening day, added 41 of them as the tailenders had no answer to the strong bowling display by the hosts. He remained unbeaten with a magnificent 145 off 272 deliveries, laced with 16 boundaries.

For Sri Lanka, Jayasuriya led the way on his debut with six wickets, while Kasun Rajitha bagged two. Ramesh Mendis and Maheesh Theekshana, on the other hand, made one scalp each.

The hosts were off to a poor start in response to Australia’s 364 as they lost their opener Pathum Nissanka cheaply at a combined score of 12. The right-handed batter scored a mere six off 25 deliveries.

Following the early disaster, Sri Lanka’s dynamic duo of Mendis and Karunaratne bolstered their side to a commanding position with an astonishing 152 runs partnership for the second time.

The pair appeared solid and were looking to carry their way till the stumps but Mitchell Swepson had other plans as he trapped the skipper Karunaratne in his legs in the 55th over. He remained the top-scorer for his side with 86 off 165 balls, laced with 10 boundaries.

Mendis then joined hands with the veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews and put on an unbeaten 20-run partnership to keep the second Test evenly poised as Sri Lanka finished at 184/2.

Wicketkeeper batter Mendis scored an unbeaten 84 off 152 balls with the help of nine boundaries, while Mathews scored six.

For Australia, Mitchell Starc and Swepson made one scalp each.

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