Editor
Australia are beginning to slip behind against Sri Lanka coming into Day 4 of the first Test, in what has been a rain-interrupted opening to the series. Join The Roar from 2:15pm (AEST) for all the live highlights and action.
Day 1 was an Aussie onslaught, Day 2 saw the Sri Lankans ruffle the visitors’ feathers but ultimately head into the sheds with a deficit, but not to be on Day 3.
It was all about Kusal Mendis yesterday, as he guided the Lankans towards a 196-run lead in yet another day of cricket marred by rain.
A maiden Test century for Mendis, which sees him unbeaten on 169, has put his side in prime position with four wickets in hand.
The next highest score in the top five for Sri Lanka was just nine, as Mendis flirted with the oldest record in cricket’s long history: to score the highest percentage of a team’s total by one player.
Sitting precariously at 2-6 in the first over of the day, Sri Lanka looked to be heading the way of their first innings effort, but the Australians just couldn’t break through the stern walls of the home side’s middle order.
In tough conditions, they racked up 137 runs for the loss of just one wicket in the second session alone.
A rough day for the tourists’ attack, but a second scalp for the innings was enough to bring up 200 career wickets for Nathan Lyon, becoming the first Australian off spinner to do so.
While things are slowly getting worse for Australia, Sri Lanka have shown that batting may just be getting easier as the weather clears and the pitch begins to age. But then again, this has been a special feat from Mendis, as the rest of his side has continued to falter.
Whatever the case may be, if this lead extends beyond 200 and over 250, Australia could be looking at a very tough run chase late in Day 4 and into Day 5.
It’s all about early wickets for the visitors as they try to wrestle back the contest, but Sri Lanka are in the box seat, and if they can bat through the first session and past lunch, they should have one hand on the win.