There were two telling facets of play during the opening day of the three-Test series against Sri Lanka at Pallekele Stadium: the presentation of the coveted ICC’s Test Championship mace, and the failure of all four opening batsmen.
The mace was a very visible reminder to the locals they were playing the best Test team in the world, while the four opening batsmen could only manage 14 runs between them – Dimuth Karunaratne (5), Kaushal Silva (4), David Warner (0), and Joe Burns (5), facing a collective but unproductive 57 deliveries.
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The pitch had something for every bowler, but Australian skipper Steve Smith’s unbeaten 28 off 46, and Usman Khawaja’s 25 not out off 54 were out-of-character digs, but important in the 2-66 reply to Sri Lanka’s 117.
That was Sri Lanka’s 16th lowest total in history, but the third collapse this year after 91 against England at Headingley, and 101 at Chester-le-Street.
The reason why the Australian attack was so dominant were dot balls, and Smith’s aggressive field placements. There were many times when the Sri Lankan batsmen must have felt claustrophobic.
Mitchell Starc bowled 45 dot balls, Josh Hazlewood and Steve O’Keefe 50 each, and Nathan Lyon 13 for a total of 158, or 26,2 overs in a total of 34.2
Point proved.
Smith and coach Darren Lehmann proved another point by selecting two spinners, leaving out Jackson Bird, and having them bowl with relatively new balls in the net practice leading into the Test.
Smith gave the nod to O’Keefe as early as the ninth over, but left the more experienced Lyon until just before lunch.
The skipper’s handling of his attack was outstanding, so much so Mitchell Marsh wasn’t called on at all. The Sri Lankans were given no respite.
Hazlewood was the pick of them with 3-21 off 10, as was Lyon with 3-12 off three that included all three wickets in just seven deliveries after lunch.
Lyon now has 198 wickets in his 55th Test, having debuted against Sri Lanka at Galle five years ago, capturing 5-34 off 15 in the first innings.
Khawaja is the only other survivor of that Galle Test that Australia won by 128 runs – Shane Watson, Phil Hughes, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, and Trent Copeland were the others on duty.
So much depends on how Smith, Khawaha, Adam Voges, Marsh, Peter Nevill, and O’Keefe fire today.
Batting last on this wicket could prove very awkward, with 38-year-old Rangana Herath – the left arm orthodox spinner – a world class tweaker.
Craig Swanson
Guest
I have never written the Lankans off in their home conditions. Folly to do so. Wily old campaigners like Ragana Herath know every blade of grass on these decks. Perhaps that should read mound of dirt instead. He and his offie mate Perera have tons of experience while their third spinner, the young chinaman Sandakan was impressive. As for the Aussies Smith should bash himself over the head for the shot he attempted. He needs to be more selective when he wants to impose himself and try to hit the spinner out of the attack. Voges and Marsh played the defining stand that gave us a handy lead. Pitch looks like breaking up so a lead we need as it could play like a minefield in the second innings.
Peter
Roar Rookie
Seems we always forget the adage of watching two teams bat on the same pitch before making conclusions.
Craig Swanson
Guest
Josh Hazlewood showed why he is so highly rated with one of the best opening spells of bowling you will see. In conditions that offered very little for the quicks, Josh was very impressive. He was miserly, built pressure and on occasions intimidated the batsman with surprising pace and lift from such a flat deck,
Craig Swanson
Guest
Smith and Khawaja had to play that type of role to steady a tottering innings after the opener's failed. Smith is so good at playing the anchor man as he has incredible mental strength and knows precisely what is needed to repair early damage. The Baggy Greens should get a substantial lead today. But the weather, with thunderstorms forcast, could play an important part in proceedings.