Australia and Sri Lanka have exchanged blows during the ODI and T20 series. Australia won the T20 series, while Sri Lanka recorded their first ODI series win against the baggy greens for a while. The two match test series is important for both the teams as far as key World Test Championships points are concerned. Series win for Australia will help them extend the lead at the top of the table over South Africa. While a win for Sri Lanka will take them to 3rd leap frogging India.
Warner takes a beauty to get rid of Sri Lanka skipper –
Sri Lanka were batting first on a Galle pitch, which is known to aid the spinners. The home team opened with Pathum Nissanka and captain Dimuth Karunaratne. The incident happened in the 30th over of the Sri Lankan innings, as Lyon was bowling to Karunaratne. The batsman strode forward showing the full phase of the bat as the Australians went up for an appeal for LBW. While none of the players noticed that the ball had taken an inside edge. David Warner, though showed awareness to grab a diving catch. Karunaratne was given out caught after scoring 28 off 84 balls with 3 fours.
Everyone went up for LBW.. David Warner kept his eye on the prize and took an absolute ripper! #SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/f7cdguPs39
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) June 29, 2022
Australian bowlers leave Sri Lanka in trouble –
Nissanka and Karunaratne added 38 for the opening wicket as both the players saw off the new ball. Australia captain, Pat Cummins got the first wicket when he had Nissanka caught behind for 23. It was Starc’s turn as he had Kusal Mendis caught behind for 3 to leave SL at 42 for 2. Mathews and Karunaratne then steadied the ship with a stand of 32 in 79 balls before Karunaratne fell. Dhananjaya De Silva came out with a positive mindset as he scored 14 off 22 before falling to Swepson. Chandimal was out first ball when Swepson had him caught by Warner to leave SL at 97 for 5.
Dickwella stands tall as SL get bowled out for 212 –
Sri Lanka then saw Mathews and DIckwell combine for a 42 run stand as the diminutive wicket keeper went after the Australians. Mathews was out for 39 caught by Warner off Lyon for 31. Dickwell though kept going adding 54 runs for the 7 wicket with Ramesh Mendis. Mendis was out for 22 falling LBW to Lyon, and five runs later the Dickwella show was over when he was caught by Carey off Lyon for 58. Nathan Lyon picked 5 for 90 from 23 overs, while Swepson picked 3 for 55, Starc and Cummins both picked a wicket each.
At the time of writing, Australia were 83 for 2 from 19 overs with David Warner out for 25 and Labuschagne out for 13. Usman Khawaja was not out on 38 runs and Steve Smith was not out on 6. Both the wickets were taken by Ramesh Mendis with Australia still 129 runs behind and 4 days to go.