Australia took firm control of the second Test against Sri Lanka despite a spirited fightback from the hosts, who reached 229-9 at stumps on day one in Galle.
Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon led the charge with three wickets apiece, ensuring Australia remained in the driver’s seat.
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Sri Lanka, electing to bat first after winning the toss, started strongly at 93-1, seemingly putting behind them the crushing innings-and-242-run defeat in the first Test.
However, skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, playing his 100th and final Test, misjudged a delivery from Lyon and dragged it onto his stumps for 36, handing Australia a crucial breakthrough.
That dismissal triggered a collapse, with Sri Lanka crumbling to 127-5 in a chaotic spell that left them struggling.
Dinesh Chandimal, Sri Lanka’s standout performer in the series opener, once again fought back with a resilient 74. His defiant knock, featuring six boundaries and a towering six, gave the hosts a glimmer of hope.
However, just as he looked set to guide Sri Lanka to safety, wicketkeeper Alex Carey produced a moment of brilliance, stumping Chandimal off left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann, dealing a major blow to Sri Lanka’s resistance.
With Sri Lanka in deep trouble, Kusal Mendis and recalled all-rounder Ramesh Mendis stitched together a vital 65-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
Kusal played positively, keeping the scoreboard ticking, while Ramesh provided solid resistance at the other end. The Australians, despite their relentless efforts, struggled to break the stand as the duo confidently handled sharp turn and extra bounce.
Frustrated by the partnership, Australia took the second new ball—and Starc struck instantly. Bowling at speeds exceeding 145 kph, he removed Ramesh Mendis, who edged one behind, before dismissing Prabath Jayasuriya with his very next delivery.
With Starc on a hat-trick, Nishan Peiris walked in under immense pressure but was soon bowled by Kuhnemann, reducing Sri Lanka to 229-9.
Meanwhile, Kusal Mendis remained unbeaten, bringing up a hard-fought half-century with a single to long-off.
Sri Lanka made three changes to their lineup from the first Test, bringing in opener Pathum Nissanka, fast bowler Lahiru Kumara, and Ramesh Mendis.
For Australia, 21-year-old all-rounder Cooper Connolly made his Test debut, replacing Todd Murphy.
Hundreds of Australian supporters, including former players Geoff Marsh and Merv Hughes, were present at the Galle International Stadium, cheering their team as they closed in on another dominant position in the series.
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