Powered by Dinesh Chandimal's unbeaten ton, Sri Lanka took home the honours vs Australia as far as day 3 of the 2nd Test is concerned, as the Lankan Lions reached 431-6 at stumps.
Sri Lanka now leads by 67 runs with four wickets in hand. It was a terrific effort by Chandimal, who stitched some crucial partnerships with the middle order to give the home side the edge after a disappointing batting performance in the first test that they lost by ten wickets.
Walking out to bat in the third over of the day after the dismissal of overnight batsman Kusal Mendis, Chandimal was aggressive early on in the innings with close-in fielders piling on the pressure. His first scoring shot was a boundary as the right-hander gave Nathan Lyon the charge and drove him past cover.
The very next ball he sent down the track again and lofted the off-spinner over long-off for six. That gave him some breathing space and with the field spreading out, he settled in.
Chandimal and Angelo Mathews shared 83 runs for the fourth wicket as Sri Lanka lost just one wicket in the morning session as they fought their way back into the game.
Chandimal had nicked Mitchell Starc to wicketkeeper Alex Carey when on 30 but umpire Kumar Dharmasena turned down the appeal. Australia had used all their reviews and had it been referred, the on-field decision would have been overturned.
Soon after completing his half-century Mathews offered a bat-pad catch off Starc and Marnus Labuschagne at short leg held on for a good catch.
It was the partnership between Chandimal and debutant Kamindu Mendis — worth 133 runs for the fourth wicket — that gave Sri Lanka the advantage in the game.
Mendis was drafted into the side after Dhananjaya de Silva tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the game and he made it count with a 50 on debut. It helped that the hometown boy has played a lot of cricket in Galle.
Chandimal reached his 13th test hundred with a quick single off Lyon to covers for his second test ton against Australia and the fourth in Galle. This year, Chandimal has hit a purple patch averaging 90 in tests. Sri Lanka's total also went past 400, only the seventh occasion they have done so against Australia.
The partnership was broken when Mendis was bowled attempting to slog leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson. His 61 came off 137 deliveries and included seven boundaries.
Soon Australia had another wicket when Niroshan Dickwella tried to take on Lyon but failed to clear mid-on and was caught by Pat Cummins.
Ramesh Mendis was given out caught behind on four but he successfully reviewed the decision. He had added 22 runs for the seventh wicket with Chandimal.
At stumps, Mendis was unbeaten on seven while Chandimal was on 118. Chandimal's knock has lasted for more than six hours in which he faced 232 deliveries having hit nine fours and one six.
Australia will look to get the remaining four wickets in a hurry, for a lead of more than 150, which can seriously put them under the pump. Although Sri Lanka will have to bat in the fourth innings, a lead of more than 150 can turn this match around pretty quickly.
(Inputs PTI)
