Australia secured a commanding position in the second Test against Sri Lanka, nearing a decisive victory. Nathan Lyon and Matt Kuhnemann spearheaded Australia's bowling attack, while Beau Webster shone with his fielding and also contributed with the bat. Sri Lanka's middle order put up a spirited fight but ultimately fell short.
A banner hung from the ramparts of the old Dutch fort proclaiming “South Africa you’re next!“, and in the final half hour of day three Australia finally struck the pivotal blows to put them within sight of a 2-0 victory over Sri Lanka .
Webster got enough pop to have Ramesh Mendis pouched at short leg, before the excellent Matt Kuhnemann defeated his opposite number Prabath Jayasuriya with a classic delivery in the day’s last over, to leave Australia with two more wickets to get. Kusal Mendis , playing with freedom and class, is his side’s last hope of a substantial fourth innings chase - their lead is just 54.
With some help from Mitchell Starc, Webster enabled the Australians to scramble to 414, bowled out right on the lunch break. Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya weaved his way to figures of 5-151.Smith and Carey had resumed with dreams of another big batting day, but the immediate availability of the second new ball made life trickier for both.
Carey’s brilliance took him to the highest score in South Asia by an Australian wicketkeeper, besting Adam Gilchrist’s pair of innings worth 144 against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh . But the skid of the newish ball finally beat him on a sweep shot, zooming through to hit the off stump as Carey heard a deflating clunk.He had earlier spoken about the fact that he believes there can be a place for both Carey and Inglis in the Australian Test side.
Pathum Nissanka succumbed to his second ball from Kuhnemann in an action replay of Inglis’ exit. Karunaratne then snicked behind and departed poignantly with a handshake from Smith, a pat on the back from Lyon and a hug from Dinesh Chandimal before he raised his bat to the crowd.Loading
Cricket Test Match Australia Sri Lanka Nathan Lyon Matt Kuhnemann Beau Webster
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