Sri Lanka have rediscovered their fight amid the chaos of loud protests and firecrackers in Galle to go to stumps on day two at 2-184 in response to Australia’s 364.
Bolstered by their efforts to run through Australia’s tail and leave Steve Smith stranded on 145no, the hosts enjoyed their best day of the series in the second and final Test.
Captain Dimuth Karunaratne led the charge with 86 runs, combining with Kusal Mendis (84no) for Sri Lanka’s biggest second-wicket partnership against Australia.
It came on a dramatic day at Galle’s International Stadium, with thousands marching in protest outside the ground and the nation’s president fleeing his palace 125km away in Colombo.
The demonstration has left cricket something of a sideshow after months of economic crisis.
But on the field the home side put up a much-needed resistance.
Bowled out in 22.5 overs last week, Sri Lanka lost just two wickets in almost triple that time on Saturday.
Karunaratne also scored double the amount of runs he did in Australia’s whole last tour, after struggling through the three-Test series in 2016.
Destroyed by Mitchell Starc back then, the opener played him well despite being roughed up once by a short ball.
He did survive chances on 18 and 35, when Starc missed a run out with one stump to aim at and Mitchell Swepson dropped a tough caught-and-bowled.
Swepson eventually got his man with one that skidded on, trapping Karunaratne late in the day.
But still, the skipper set the tone in the 152-run stand with Mendis.
Dimuth Karunaratne of Sri Lanka celebrates after reaching 50 runs. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images)
Mendis meanwhile played nicely through the legside, his nine boundaries highlighted by pulling and hooking Pat Cummins to the rope.
What’s also undeniable is that this wicket has far less venom than the one Sri Lanka were bowled out for 113 on a week ago.
Australia’s quicks have already bowled more overs than they did in the whole first Test, with Cameron Green also getting the ball before Swepson.
They have also battled for any real movement, having the ball changed twice but not getting any significant reverse swing out of any of the three Kookaburras.
Starc was the only paceman to have success, drawing Pathum Nissanka’s edge when he angled one across the right-hander and Green pouched a nice catch at gully.
Still, Australia know this wicket will deteriorate and Mendis must make a big score like Smith to avoid a series loss.
Australia have made it clear they are prepared to play the long game, much in the same way they did in Pakistan earlier this year on more batter-friendly wickets.
“There’s not as much reverse swing as Pakistan. The square’s probably a bit greener, a bit more lush,” Smith said.
“The spin is probably going to play more of a part.
“(The wicket) is probably not too dissimilar to last time we were here where the skidding balls have probably been more dangerous than the spinning one.
“They are still a fair way away from our score … and we have the liberty of not having to bat last.”
The former Australia captain rarely looked challenged on day one or day two after bringing up his first century in exactly 18 months on Friday.
When he and Carey resumed at 5-298 on Saturday, it appeared as if Australia could build to a big score.
But after Carey reverse-swept Prabath Jayasuriya to Ramesh Mendis at a deep point on 28, Australia’s tail of Starc, Cummins, Nathan Lyon and Swepson made just 14 between them.
Jayasuriya’s figures of 6-118 were also the second best by a Sri Lankan on debut in Test history, having also got the key wicket of Marnus Labuschagne for 104 on Friday.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
I don't wanna watch cricket if there's 3 spinners in the attack Bruise free cricket, not a fan
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Dreadful shot by Carey. Another incompetent reverse sweep, nowhere near the pitch of the ball, but this time when there was no pressure to score runs, the pitch was easier and he needed to support Smith. Opened up the tail. This SL attack is one of the weakest Test line-up I’ve ever seen. Full tosses and short balls aplenty. Head and Green played poor shots, and Marnus perhaps the worst though we can forgive him somewhat. I didn’t see our bowling except for a few highlights, but I would have thought they should have done better on that track, given the amount of turn available. Although the pitch is easier than the first test, I still think we might have been better off with Holland than Starc. (Maxwell would have been a joke - he has 77 wickets in 67 FC matches at an average of 41.)
Col in Paradise
Roar Rookie
Only 4 Australian Batsmen made double or triple figure runs....that cost us a good lead..and with Sri Lanka batting well might have cost us the test.....especially if we repeat it in the 2nd Innings...as that will be critical....