Starc, Lyon keep Sri Lanka on a tight leash

By Alex, CricTips Editorial Team · How we predict.

Day 1 Report: Australia Keep Sri Lanka on a Tight Leash

Sri Lanka Struggle to Post a Competitive Score

Sri Lanka's batting woes continued in the second Test against Australia, as the hosts ended the opening day at 229/9. Despite half-centuries from Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis, Australia maintained control throughout the day.

Key Moments

• Nathan Lyon dismissed Pathum Nissanka early in the day, and later cleaned up Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva.
• Travis Head got Kamindu Mendis to nick to Steve Smith in the first slip.
• Mitchell Starc returned to the attack and dismissed Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis, taking three wickets for 37 runs.
• Matthew Kuhnemann chipped in with two wickets, including the crucial one of Dinesh Chandimal.

Scorecard

• Sri Lanka: 229/9 (Dinesh Chandimal 74, Kusal Mendis 59; Mitchell Starc 3-37, Nathan Lyon 3-78, Matthew Kuhnemann 2-53)
• Australia: 654/6 (first innings total at the same venue in the first Test)

Key Players

• Dinesh Chandimal: Scored his 32nd Test fifty, but fell to Matthew Kuhnemann's exceptional glovework.
• Kusal Mendis: Batted out the rest of the session with Ramesh Mendis, adding 65 runs for the seventh wicket.
• Mitchell Starc: Returned to the attack and took three wickets, including the crucial ones of Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis.
• Nathan Lyon: Employed early and saw the back of returning opener Pathum Nissanka, and later cleaned up Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva.