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Nathan Lyon became only the 14th man in history to take a wicket with his first ball in Test match cricket, with his devastating five-wicket haul reducing Sri Lanka to be all out for 105, leaving Australia firmly in control of the first Test in Galle.
The 23-year-old became the 12th spinner used by Australia since Shane Warne’s 2007 retirement, and the New South Welshmen looked immediately at home in conditions that suited the young spinner.
His first delivery in the Test arena was one to savour, drawing Kumar Sangakkara forward and making one of the most dangerous batsmen in world cricket look amateurish as he edged to skipper Michael Clarke, who took a sharp catch at first slip.
Lyon became only the second Australian to achieve the rare feat of taking a wicket with his first ball, and the first in over 100 years after Arthur Conington in 1900.
Fellow debutant Trent Copeland had earlier put Australia on the front foot, removing opener Tillakaratne Dilshan for four, before an inspired spell from Shane Watson (3/11) left the hosts reeling at 6/88.
Showing experience beyond his years Lyon then stepped in to clean up the tail, with a smart catch from his own bowling sealing a memorable five-wicket haul.
It left Australia with a commanding 168-run lead on a pitch that looks set to deteriorate as the Test goes on.
It appeared that Australia’s advantage would be negated after two quick wickets left the visitors teetering a 2/5 before a 56-run partnership between opening Phil Hughes and Michael Clarke steadied the ship.
The skipper would go on to make a valuable 60 before top-edging an attempted sweep of the bowling of Herath.
A day after making a tenacious 95, Mike Hussey would follow next ball after a referral showed the ball had flicked his glove on its way to short leg, and the mini-collapse was complete two overs later as Haddin fell cheaply.
Bad light left Australia at 6/115 with Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Johnson at the crease.
The pair will undoubtedly look to push their lead beyond 300 early on Day 3, but on a pitch more than a little conducive to spin, it is Australia who undoubtedly hold the whip with such a solid lead.
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