Cricket News: Sri Lanka VS Australia Test Day 2: Hosts emerge stronger with the bat after Prabath Jayasuriya's six-wicket haul
If Day 1 saw visitors taking control with the bat, Day 2 belonged to hosts in all three sessions. After restricting Australia to less than 400, Sri Lanka batted to be trailing by 180 runs at stumps
Prabath's incredible debutPrabath's incredible debut
Steven Smith and Alex Carey resumed innings for Australia from the overnight score of 298/5. Visitors looked certain on day 1 to pull a score of 400-plus on day 2. But Sri Lanka fought well, taking Australia's last five wickets for mere 35 runs. Debutant left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya executed a fine performance in the first innings by taking six wickets for 118 runs after bowling 36 overs. These are the second-best figures for Sri Lanka on Test debut after Praveen Jayawickrama's 6 for 92 against Bangladesh last year. He removed Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon with no time left for visitors to get back into the play. As wickets kept tumbling on one end, Steven Smith remained unbeaten at 145, taking the total to 364.
Stable start for Sri Lanka
Australia, too, managed an early breakthrough as Mitchell Starc dismissed Pathum Nissanka for six runs. However, Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis were involved in a stand of 152 off 277 as both scored their half-centuries. Runs seemed to come more freely for hosts in the final session, and just when they looked to seal the day without any damage, Mitchell Swepson trapped Dimuth Karunaratne (86) in an LBW. After losing this significant wicket, Kusal Mendis took the game slowly with Angelo Mathews on the other end to remain unbeaten and take the total to 184/2.
Sri Lanka now trails by 180 runs and looks more stable to conquer the trail easily if they remain as confident as today in their approach. As the Sri Lankan players put forward an intense fight on the crease, a more comprehensive reality unfolded in the backdrop of the stadium where major anti-government protests began on the ongoing crisis. As the crowd started marching towards Galle stadium, the fort had to be closed for everyone following the forced removal of protestors.
As the hard times continue outside the stadium, players are trying hard to bring cheers to domestic fans by giving their best performance.