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Top-order batter Dinesh Chandimal scored his 32nd fifty in red-ball format during day one of the second Test between Sri Lanka and Australia at the Galle International Stadium. Following opener Pathum Nissanka’s early departure at his individual score of 11, Chandimal got the responsibility to stand at the crease and spend time with Dimuth Karunaratne. As per expectations, Chandimal utilised his experience and stitched a 70-run partnership with the opener to help his side put some pressure on the visitors.
However, Nathan Lyon, who got Nissanka’s scalp, continued his dominance by removing Karunaratne and Angelo Mathews in quick succession. Kamindu Mendis and skipper Dhananjaya de Silva failed to hold their nerves and threw their wickets against Travis Head and Mitchell Starc respectively. During the crunch situation, Chandimal stood tall and played a 74-run innings before falling against Matthew Kuhnemann.
Sri Lanka find themselves in trouble
After the humiliating defeat in the first Test, Sri Lanka were expected to display a fightback spirit, but the home side again showed laxity while batting after winning the toss. They failed to solve the Lyon and Kuhnemann conundrum as both spinners jointly folded Sri Lanka’s half side. Mitchell Starc also did his job efficiently as the speedster sent skipper de Silva back to the pavilion on a duck and put Sri Lanka in immense trouble. Except for Dinesh Chandimal and stumper-batter Kusal Mendis, no batter looked comfortable against Australia’s emboldened bowling attack. At the end of the opening day, Sri Lanka could accumulate only 229 runs on the board at the loss of nine wickets, with Kusal Mendis (59 off 107) and Lahiru Kumara (0 off 12) standing at the crease.
Australia, who have taken an unassailable lead of 1-0, will look to be at their best in the upcoming stages of the match to win a Test series in the island country after 14 years. In the absence of regular captain Pat Cummins, Steven Smith will look to add another leadership feat to his profile. Back in 2011, the Aussies won a three-match Test series with a 1-0 margin under Michael Clarke’s captaincy.
