Galle, Jan 31 (FN Bureau) Sri Lanka were 136 for 5 in the first innings at stumps on day three of the first Test against Australia at the Galle International Stadium here on Friday and trail by 518 runs to the vistors’ mammoth total of 654 for 6 in the first innings.Dinesh Chandimal remained unbeaten on 63, with Kusal Mendis yet to get off the mark when stumps were drawn. Australia’s potent bowling attack was left frustrated after the final two sessions of the day were washed out due to unexpected rain. The weather disruption provided Sri Lanka with some respite, with the surface showing signs of wear and tear, making batting increasingly challenging. The day began under sunny skies, with 27 overs bowled before rain arrived abruptly just before lunch. With no further play possible, stumps were called over two hours early. The weather forecast suggests more rain on Saturday, but clear conditions are expected for the final day of the Test. In response to Australia’s imposing first-innings total, Sri Lanka began the day on 44 for 3, still 410 runs away from the follow-on target. Despite a shaky start on Day Two, Sri Lanka’s hopes rested on the shoulders of Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis, who had a strong record since debuting against Australia in 2022.
However, the Sri Lankan top order struggled against the Australian attack. Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon took charge with the ball, having claimed wickets in the previous evening’s play. Starc, using swing and short-pitched deliveries, kept the pressure on, while Lyon worked tirelessly from around the wicket, exploiting the cracks in the pitch. Chandimal, though, was undeterred, he began attacking Lyon aggressively, including an elegant sweep shot that found the boundary. A stroke of fortune came when an edge from Chandimal narrowly missed Steven Smith at first slip. Despite taking a blow to the midriff from Starc, Chandimal continued to play with confidence, hitting Lyon over the cover for a boundary. The partnership between Chandimal and de Silva saw Sri Lanka make progress, but the innings was derailed when de Silva was stumped for a duck. Starc had earlier sent Kamindu Mendis packing, strangling him down the leg side to leave Sri Lanka at 67 for 4.
Chandimal’s resistance continued as he reached his half-century off 91 balls, but the innings again stalled when de Silva’s reckless dismissal handed Australia another breakthrough. Matthew Kuhnemann, in his first Test since 2023, made an impact with the ball, dismissing de Silva after the Sri Lankan captain missed a wide delivery. With rain bringing an early close to the day’s play, Sri Lanka will need a strong partnership on the fourth day to avoid a heavy defeat. Australia, on the other hand, remain firmly in control, having dominated the opening seven sessions of the match. Scorecard: Sri Lanka: 136 for 5 (Chandimal 63, de Silva 22, Starc 2-13, Kuhnemann 2-48)Australia: 654 for 6 declared.