Sri Lanka Faces Rare Home Defeat After 20 Years
Australia had a solid platform with a big lead but failed to capitalize, thanks to a brilliant bowling performance by Prabath Jayasuriya. The morning collapse saw Australia stumble, but the pressure soon shifted back onto Sri Lanka. Matthew Kuhnemann and Nathan Lyon took charge, tightening the grip on the hosts and setting the stage for a possible whitewash.
Resuming at 303/3 in Galle, Australia’s first innings ended at 414. Despite a 157-run lead, Sri Lanka faltered in their second innings, finishing the third day at 211/8, leading by just 54 runs.
With only two wickets in hand, Sri Lanka finds itself in deep trouble, while Australia smells victory. Steven Smith’s team had already dominated the first Test, winning by an innings and 242 runs.
A win here would mark Australia’s first Test series whitewash in Sri Lanka in 20 years. The last time they achieved this feat was in 2004, when they won all three matches in the series.
Kuhnemann, who took three wickets in the first innings, has already claimed four in this one. Lyon, the experienced off-spinner, has also picked up three wickets across both innings.
Sri Lanka’s Spinners Trigger Australian Collapse
The day started in Sri Lanka’s favor as their spinners dismantled the Australian lineup. Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, and Nishan Peiris combined to take the last seven wickets for just 64 runs. Peiris claimed three, while Ramesh took two.
Jayasuriya, leading the charge, finished with 5/151, marking his 11th five-wicket haul in just 20 Test matches.
Australia’s centurions, Steven Smith and Alex Carey, couldn’t add much to their overnight total, managing just 20 more runs together. Jayasuriya struck early in the fifth over, dismissing Smith for 131 and breaking their massive 259-run partnership. One ball later, he bowled Josh Inglis.
Carey, who resumed on 139, reached 150 off 175 balls but was soon dismissed for 156 while attempting a sweep against Jayasuriya. With that, he became the first Australian wicketkeeper-batsman to score 150+ in Sri Lanka, surpassing Adam Gilchrist’s 144 in Kandy back in 2004.
Australia’s innings ended shortly after, with Beau Webster’s 31 helping them cross the 400-run mark.
Sri Lanka’s Batting Struggles Continue
Sri Lanka’s second innings got off to a disastrous start, losing three top-order wickets for just 39 runs.
- Pathum Nissanka (8) was bowled by Kuhnemann.
- Dimuth Karunaratne, playing his farewell Test, managed 14 before being caught behind off Kuhnemann.
- Dinesh Chandimal (12) became Lyon’s victim.
Kamindu Mendis also fell cheaply to Lyon, while captain Dhananjaya de Silva (23) was caught brilliantly by Smith at slip off Kuhnemann’s bowling.
Amidst the chaos, Angelo Mathews held one end, showing great patience, while Kusal Mendis counterattacked. Their partnership was growing when Mathews attempted a sweep against Lyon but ended up top-edging to Webster at fine leg. His fighting 76 included one six and four boundaries.
Beau Webster, an all-rounder who can also bowl off-spin, took his chance and struck with just his fourth delivery. Ramesh Mendis fell for a duck, caught at short leg by Travis Head.
Jayasuriya’s dismissal to Kuhnemann brought an end to the day’s play, leaving Australia on the brink of a dominant victory. Sri Lanka’s last hope, Kusal Mendis, remains unbeaten on 48 off 50 balls, with one six and five fours.
Match Summary:
- Sri Lanka 1st Innings: 257
- Australia 1st Innings: 414 all out (106.4 overs)
- Steven Smith 131 (1 six, 10 fours)
- Alex Carey 156 (2 sixes, 15 fours)
- Prabath Jayasuriya 5/151
- Sri Lanka 2nd Innings: 211/8 (62.1 overs)
- Angelo Mathews 76 (1 six, 4 fours)
- Kusal Mendis 48* (1 six, 5 fours)
- Matthew Kuhnemann 4/52
- Nathan Lyon 3/80
With just two wickets remaining, Sri Lanka faces a daunting task, while Australia stands on the verge of another dominant victory and a historic whitewash.
