Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne put Australia on top
SL vs AUS: After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne scored centuries to help Australia dominate day 1.
After a humiliating 10 wicket defeat in the first test, Sri Lanka made 3 changes to their line-up. Prabath Jayasuriya, Kamindu Mendis and Maheesh Theekshana were handed their debut caps before the start of play.
As for the series leaders, they remained unchanged.
Sri Lanka started off on the front foot, as Ramesh Mendis got rid of the dangerous David Warner. Australia were 1 down within 5 overs.
Both Khawaja and Labuschagne together, stitched a 50+ run partnership before Ramesh Mendis picked up the wicket of Khawaja. Mendis, who had been bowling since the beginning of the match, got rid of both the openers of Australia in the first session.
Usman Khawaja managed to get to 37 before he was out, bowled by Ramesh Mendis. Sri Lanka were pleased with their bowling attack but, had no clue of what was going to happen next.
The out-of-form Steve Smith came to the crease. Niroshan Dickwella and Sri Lanka had a golden opportunity of getting the wicket of Marnus Labuschagne but, the keeper made a meal of it.
A glorious opporunity went begging down the drain.
Both Smith and Labuschagne took Australia to 99 runs at the end of the 1st session. An even session, where the Lankan bowlers had the edge.
After the lunch break, Smith and Labuschagne picked up from where they had left off. The pair added runs while thwarting the good balls away from danger.
Soon, Labuschagne got to his fifty, with a boundary off the bowling of Kasun Rajitha. While Labuschagne kept on adding runs, Smith was patiently playing his game. The Aussie vie-captain and star looked in good nick since the start of his innings.
Smith went on to score his 37th fifty in Test cricket, while Labuschagne raced to a well-deserved century.
The latter got to the 3 figure mark in just 147 balls! The 2nd session was completely dominated by the 2 star Aussie batsmen.
Picture credits – Cricket Australia/ Twitter
Together, the pair added 134 runs, before Prabath Jayasuriya picked up his maiden wicket in the form of Marnus Labuschagne.
The left arm spinner went on to pick up 3 quick wickets to put the visitors on the back foot. A memorable day for the debutant. He picked up the wickets of Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head and Cameron Green.
Fortunately, this time, Steve Smith was able to go big as he reached a long-awaited century. This was his first ton since 21st January, 2021!
His teammates rose to applaud a magnificent innings by the run-machine. This was Smith’s 28th ton in Test Cricket. It took a while but it was worth the wait.
Picture credits – Cricket Australia/ Twitter.
Smith and Carey batted till the end of the day as Australia scored 298 runs in 3 sessions for the loss of 5 wickets.
