Sri Lanka vs Australia Warne-Muralitharan Trophy, 2025, Full Score Card

OUT! DONE AND DUSTED! In just about half and hour or so, Australia have wrapped up Sri Lanka on 231, and technically on 74/10. Lyon comes from around the wicket and lands this on a fuller length, tossing it up nicely, getting a good in-drift as well, around off. Kumara takes his front leg out of the way and goes for an awkward slog against the line as the ball spins away after pitching. He misses it to get any wood on the ball and it goes on to clipping the top of the off stump.

Beau Webster has been given the ball. 2-0-6-1 so far.

Full on the stumps, Kumara works it past short leg for a single.

That bump on the ground saves Kumara and Sri Lankan innings for now! Australians were already heading to the dugout but there came the dreaded verdict from the third umpire! Lyon tosses it up, fuller and on off, turns away from the pitch. Lahiru Kumara lunges forward to defend it out but gets a thick outside edge and the ball goes flat and dips ahead of the second slip fielder Beau Webster who bends low and tries to scoop it off the grass. A streak of replays rolls in as the third umpire wants to have a check for the fair catch. And Lahiru Kumara can breathe for now as the ball has bumped off the surface before going in the hands of the second slip fielder. NOT OUT.

End of the innings? Lahiru Kumara has been caught at gully but Kumara is not going anywhere. The Aussies don't care. They are walking off the field. The decision has been referred to the third umpire. Here comes the replay - BOUNCED IN FRONT! Well, come back, Kangaroos. You can hop and skip, but a catch cannot be taken with the ball hopping in front of you. Very poor from Beau Webster not to inform that the ball had bounced. That was well in front of him.

Drags the length on off, Nishan Peiris hangs back and punches it to the point region and sets off for a quick single. The fielder from cover swiftly moves to his right, picks the ball and throws in a motion to the keeper. Carey collects it and breaks the stumps in a flash. A direct hit there could have been curtains for Kumara.

BEATEN! Drifts into the batter and then lands, and turns away off the deck, around off, Nishan Peiris goes for a front foot block but plays inside the line and the ball flirts past the outside edge.

On middle and leg, full, Nishan Peiris defends it out safely.

Lyon drops full and tosses it up around off, Nishan Peiris leans forward and blocks it straight to the bowler.

A bit surprising to see the field spread for both batters. Probably Steven Smith is expecting the tailenders to go swinging after the spinners but smartly, both Lahiru Kumara and Nishan Peiris are pushing it around the only focussing on taking the runs on offer. Their partnership is worth 12 now and it has taken just 20 balls, with the lead moving to 72. Wonder how long will it be before Smith looks to apply the squeeze and force the batters to work for their runs.

Around the wickets now bustles Kuhnemann, lands it on a good length, on middle and leg, Lahiru Kumara goes back and across to drop it near the strip to the leg side.

Turns in from around off, on a good length, Nishan Peiris leans back and cuts it to deep point for an easy single.

Much fuller on off, Lahiru Kumara drills it down to long off and rotates the strike.

Second slip gone, bowled full and around off, carved out by Kumara, but straight to short cover.

The second slip now comes in place as Matthew Kuhnemann bowls it full and outside off, Nishan Peiris strides across and drives it to the covers for a single.

Around off, turning into the batter, on a length, Lahiru Kumara hangs back and taps it wide of backward point and crosses over for a single.

Again a loud appeal for LBW and the umpire shakes his head again! Australia take a review again! Tossed up by Lyon, around middle, drifting into the pads, Nishan Peiris takes a big stride forward and looks to defend it but misses because of a turn and gets hit on the front pad. The UltraEdge shows that there is no bat involved and the Ball Tracking confirms that it missing the leg stump. Nishan Peiris survives again but Australia lose the review this time.

Length ball, on middle and leg, Nishan Peiris hangs back and tucks it across to the left of the bowler.

A loud appeal for LBW but the umpire is unmoved! Steven Smith talks to his players and decides to take a review! Nathan Lyon gives air to the ball, keeps it slower, from around the wicket, on middle, and comes in with the angle. Nishan Peiris comes forward and presents the full face of the bat to defend but misses the line and gets hit on the front pad. The UltraEdge shows that there is no bat involved and the Ball Tracking presents that it is clipping the leg stump and there is an umpire's call on hitting the stumps. The on-field decision will upheld and Australia also keep their review.

A tad bit shorter, around off, Peiris defends it straight back to the bowler.

That in-drifter angling in on the pads, Kumara leaves and it clips his pad before running away to the fine leg region. Bizarre call, the batters run and the umpire allows it. Shouldn't it have been a dead ball? Leg bye signalled.

Pitched up on the stumps, Lahiru Kumara blocks it on the front foot.

Pitches up, just outside off, Lahiru Kumara dabs it towards backward point.

Drags his length a bit, around off, Lahiru Kumara goes back and pushes it back to the bowler.

FOUR! NICE SHOT DOWN THE GROUND! Tossed up, from over the wicket, on the fourth stump, Lahiru Kumara dances down the track and hammers it to the right of the bowler for a boundary.

Around off, pushed through cover for a run.

Outside off, defended down the pitch.

Outside off, coming in with the angle, Lahiru Kumara pushes it towards cover and takes the single.

Tossed up, around off, Nishan Peiris blocks it towards mid-wicket.

Flighted up, around middle, Nishan Peiris comes forward and defends it.

Meanwhile, another record for Steven Smith. First Aussie to take 200 catches as a fielder in Test cricket. And overall, joins Rahul Dravid, Joe Root, Mahela Jayawardene and Jacques Kallis with 200 or more catches as a fielder in this format.

Nishan Peiris is the last man in, replacing Kusal Mendis.

OUT! CAUGHT! 200TH CATCH FOR STEVEN SMITH IN TEST CRICKET! Australia have just taken nine balls to get the much-needed wicket on Day 4! Kusal Mendis is gone and the hopes of Sri Lanka have also gone down to get a good defendable score. Nathan Lyon picks up his fourth wicket as he bowls from around the wicket, and drops it short, around middle, getting a big turn with an extra bounce. Kusal Mendis gets into an uncomfortable position because of the extra bounce as he presses back and looks to pull it but manages to get a top edge that goes to the right of the short fine leg fielder. Steven Smith moves to his right a bit and extends his arms to pouch it. Sri Lanka are 217/9 and lead by 60.

A short ball again, around mddle, Kusal pulls it to deep mid-wicket. Does not take the single.

CONSECUTIVE HALF CENTURIES FOR KUSAL MENDIS! Can he go the distance this time? Short again, around off, this time Mendis stays leg side of the ball and punches it through the covers. By the time long off can get around to his left, two runs are on offer and they are taken. The lead moves to 60.

A short ball, around middle, Kusal Mendis rocks back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket. Turns down the single.

Will we see Starc now? Nope. Nathan Lyon it will be. 25-2-80-3 so far.

FOUR BYES! Useful runs for Sri Lanka! Flighted outside off, Lahiru Kumara lets it go but the ball lands on the rough and spins back in a long way. Nearly takes the off stump, but misses and so does the keeper, Alex Carey. Races through to the fine leg fence!

Landed outside off, pushed down the ground.

Fuller, around off, Lahiru comes a long way forward and defends.

Outside off, Kumara pushes it towards point.

Full, around off, coming in with the angle, Lahiru Kumara defends.

The Aussies spread themselves out to the middle. Just a reminder - Matthew Kuhnemann will finish his pending over from last evening. Lahiru Kumara ​​​​​​joins Kusal Mendis this morning. Here we go...

PITCH REPORT - Russel Arnold is here again. Says that there are no surprises from yesterday as we can see a lot of cracks and the conditions are much more drier today. Adds that the ball was a lot quicker on Day 3 and it will get harder to score. With the new ball, the bowlers have a chance to get some early wickets. Mentions that with the old ball, they can get reverse swing also but will be easy to score. Concludes that there is a variable bounce for sure and scoring runs will get harder as the day progresses today.

Angelo Mathews is up for a chat with the broadcasters. He says that sometimes, he feels like a soldier and sometimes like a policeman! Admits that the Lankans missed out on runs on Day 1 and leaked a lot of runs on Day 2. Reckons 150 would be a handy target and mentions that on this wicket, you can't just defend and have to score runs.

Another bright and sunny day welcomes us to Galle. History beckons Australia, having not won a Test series in Sri Lanka since 2011. Interestingly, that was the first time Nathan Lyon visited these shores. And 2025 could be the last time Lyon could be playing in this country. Having missed out on the previous occasions to win a Test series here, despite being on top, do the Aussies have enough to get over their nerves?

The hopes largely rest on the shoulders of the well set and an able batter in Kusal Mendis. While the scorecard shows two wickets remaining, make no mistake, Sri Lanka are still not completely dashed out of the game. Kusal has been a savior for them many a time, but this time, he will need to masterfully shepherd the tail while keeping the scoreboard moving. Australia, on the other hand, has a straightforward morning agenda - strike early, restrict the target, and set themselves up for what they'll hope to be a straightforward chase. Or are we in for some thrill in Galle? The first hour will be crucial for both sides. Sit back, and relax as the first ball is a few minutes away.

With just two wickets remaining and a slender lead of 54 runs in the bank, Sri Lanka find themselves walking a tightrope on Day 4. While there's abundant time left in the Test, their immediate priority must be avoiding a sub-100 target - a scenario that would virtually hand the match to Australia. True, the deteriorating pitch has made batting increasingly challenging, but a target of around 150 could still inject some intrigue into this contest as the last thing Australia would want is a chase of that magnitude, especially in the fourth innings.

What started as Australia's march towards an imposing 250-plus lead took an unexpected turn on Day 3, as they tumbled from a strong 350/3 to 414 all out within a rapid spell under 25 overs. Yet, the 157-run cushion proved more than handy as Australia's bowling unit, spearheaded by the spin twins Matthew Kuhnemann and Nathan Lyon, methodically dismantled Sri Lanka's batting resolve. With Beau Webster providing valuable support and captain Steven Smith pulling all the right tactical strings, these efforts were well complemented by brilliance on the field as well. Had Mitchell Starc been fit and available, who knows, this game might have ended on Saturday itself.

Even in the face of early setbacks, Sri Lanka's batting showcased moments of real resilience, particularly through the veteran Angelo Mathews who proved yet again why he's been the team's backbone for over a decade. After the wobble at 81/4, Mathews orchestrated a remarkable recovery, crafting three vital partnerships that breathed life into the Lankan innings - first building a solid 40+ run stand with the promising Kamindu Mendis, then replicating that effort with captain Dhananjaya de Silva, before joining forces with the Kusal Mendis to further steady the ship. But it was all about staying there in the middle for longer periods of time and shrinking the lead with maximum wickets remaining in hand, which, in fact, didn't happen, as wickets fell in procession and Sri Lanka further slipped down from 198/5 to 211/8.

Cricket's fascinating narrative of 'what could have been' is playing out in this Test match, where despite Australia's commanding position, Sri Lanka's performance has been far from poor. While the scoreboard might paint a picture of Australian dominance, it's been those crucial clusters of wickets, those brief but decisive passages of play that have really spelled the difference between the two sides. The brilliance was evident in Prabath Jayasuriya's masterful spell during the first session on Day 3, where he broke Australia's remaining batting lineup, but unfortunately for the hosts, their batting couldn't quite capitalize on that bowling effort, falling prey to untimely wickets that have left them staring at a challenging day ahead.

Hello and welcome to what could be a defining day of cricket in this second Test of the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy 2025! As the sun rises on Day 4, Australia stand tall with victory in their sights. This Test has well and truly raced along at breakneck speed. Sri Lanka find themselves with their backs against the wall and they'll need something truly spectacular, perhaps a dash of that subcontinental magic, to prevent the Aussies from wrapping this up today.

... DAY 4, SESSION 1 ...

Sri Lanka are effectively 54/8 and we still call this Test match at an interesting phase. Why so? Because we are not at the 'Gabba. Nor at the 'G. This is Galle and anything is possible here. Giving reference to that 2009 Test match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, the visitors were 71/2 at Stumps on Day 3, chasing 168. Only to lose 8/46 on Day 4. It was Rangana Herath then. It could be Prabath Jayasuriya here. It might seem that the Lankans are up against it but as long as Kusal Mendis is out there in the middle, anything is possible. If he manages to hang in for an hour on Sunday or even more, that lead could swell past 100 and perhaps even get to 150. And given that Galle's Day 4 pitch does not seem too good for batters, the Aussies will be hoping to pick up the remaining two wickets quickly. The first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 4.30 am GMT on Sunday, 9th February, 2025 but our buildup will begin a lot sooner. So do tune in earlier. In the meantime, you can catch all the action from the first match between Pakistan and New Zealand in Lahore, in the ODI triseries in Pakistan and also the one-off Test between Zimbabwe and Ireland. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Here's Matthew Kuhnemann up for a chat with the broadcasters. Kuhnemann says that it was nice to finish things on a high at the end of the day. Adds that Angelo Mathews was batting so well and thus it was important to take his wicket on Day 3 itself. Further says that it was a rewarding day for his team and he is very happy. Mentions that Nathan Lyon bowled really well and he acknowledges the fact that he is the highest wicket-taker of the series. Honestly admits that he has been watching Prabath Jayasuriya bowl and trying to learn from him. Concludes that the game is not over yet and Australia still need to take the remaining two wickets, adding that it won’t be an easy chase but he hopes that the batters will win it for their team.

Australia seemed satisfied at the end of the day with their efforts but they were not so happy with an hour to go in the day's play. With Angelo Mathews looking strong and Kusal Mendis looking to attack, Steven Smith was getting wary of the lead swelling and frustration was writ large on almost everyone's faces. But as always, fielding lifts Australia up and a few stunning catches - Beau Webster to dismiss Dinesh Chandimal, Steven Smith to dismiss Dhananjaya de Silva and Webster again (though contentious), to dismiss Mathews just showed why Australia tend to believe that can turn things around despite being behind in the game. The usual suspects - Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann - bowled clinically, with 7 wickets between them but Mitchell Starc's absence hurt Australia. He was not 100 percent and hence bowled only 4 overs in the day and that put a lot of pressure on Lyon and Kuhnemann. But towards the end, Webster gave the Aussies some thrill with a couple of really good overs, claiming a wicket as well.

Cricket is more of a mental game than a technical one. If you believe, you can achieve, Sri Lanka started the day with Australia staring at probably 450, 500 from 330/3. But they bowled as a unit to dismiss the visiting side for 414 from there with Prabath Jayasuriya getting another 5-fer. Then, despite a poor start against the new ball, the middle order hung in and has kept this Test match interesting.

Having mentioned what we did in the previous paragraph, kudos to Sri Lanka for coming out fighting. They looked down and out at 39/3, but then the middle order fought back valiantly. Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, skipper Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis showed that they are not here just to take part in the Test match. They are here to win at their fortress. Once the ball went past the 30-over mark, it became softer and easier to score and the Lankans made the most of that chance. 113 runs were scored in that final session, in 29.1 overs. Just that they lost two wickets too many in 4. They would have taken it with 6 down at Stumps, albeit with Mathews' dismissal but those two extra ones just dented what has been a wonderful day for the Lankans.

Wow. What a manic last half hour. It is said that the last few minutes of the day are always tricky for batters. With 6 overs left in the day, Sri Lanka were coasting along at 198/5. Suddenly, Angelo Mathews tries to be a bit more adventurous and throws his wicket away, though that was still a contentious call to not have that catch checked. And the next thing you know, the Lankans slip to 211/8. They have lost their last 3 wickets for 13 runs in the span of 31 balls.

The camera pans on Smith and the umpires possibly ask him a question. Do Australia want to take the extra half hour? Is there a possibility of a finish tonight? Smith has a ponder but then realizes oh hang on, this is not the possibility of an innings defeat. Australia need to chase down runs as well. Denies the offer and takes his players off the field, patting them on the back, with a big smile on his face.

OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Well, well, well - whom do you give that credit for the last-minute change? Another gut instinct working for Steven Smith. With Beau Webster ready to bowl this over, at the last minute, Smith decided to toss the ball to Kuhnemann and voila, it turns gold! Flighted, on middle, Prabath Jayasuriya comes forward to defend but the ball pitches and spins away, taking the outside edge and Steven Smith makes no mistake at first slip, taking his 199th catch in Test cricket. With that, it will be STUMPS ON DAY 3! SRI LANKA ARE 211/8, LEADING BY 54!

Into the last over of the day then. And Webster will finish things off. Nope. A last-minute change. Matthew Kuhnemann will bowl. 20-4-52-3 so far.

Comes around the wicket, tossed up, around middle, Prabath Jayasuriya comes forward and flicks it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

Keeps it shorter, around off, stays low, Prabath Jayasuriya goes on the back foot and manages to defend it with the toe end of the bat.

Nagging length, outside off, Kusal Mendis presses back and steers it towards long off for a single.

Outside off, Jayasuriya pushes it through the off side and takes the run.

Full, outside off, 86 kph, Prabath Jayasuriya brings out the reverse sweep. Gets it off the glove and luckily for him, the ball lands on the ground before going to Steven Smith at first slip.

Short, outside off, 85 kph, Kusal Mendis backs away to the leg side and punches it through the covers for a single.

For the final time in the day then, Lyon.

Fuller again, around off, Prabath Jayasuriya blocks it off.

Much fuller, around off, Prabath Jayasuriya uses his feet to get to the pitch of the ball and drives it towards cover.

Nagging length, sharp turn, around middle, Kusal Mendis presses back and manages to flick it towards square leg for a single.

Great shot and useful runs! Prabath Jayasuriya comes down the track, takes it on the full and drives it through mid off. There is no soul present over there and the bowler himself runs behind the ball. Just about manages to pull the ball back before it touches the ropes. Three runs taken. Well, it is Jayasuriya who has to shoulder the mantle of defending the runs on Sunday. So he will want to contribute in every way possible to get the target as high as possible!

Outside off, Mendis gets down and sweeps it through square leg for a single.

Full, outside off, nice flight, Kusal Mendis lunges to defends.

A nicely tossed-up delivery, with the line of attack outside off. Goes straight on after pitching, Prabath Jayasuriya takes a good stride forward, but then decides to let it be.

Flat and drags the length down on off, does Lyon, Kusal Mendis tucks it across past mid-wicket for a single.

Around off, turning back in, Prabath Jayasuriya taps it out to the cover-point region and scoots over to the other end.

Pitched fuller and on off, Prabath Jayasuriya leans forward to keep it out.

Length-delivery on top of middle and leg, tucked away with soft hands to deep mid-wicket for one. 200 UP FOR SRI LANKA! Lead by 43.

A sharp confident appeal for LBW, but not given. Lyon, by the looks on his face, is certain that he has his man! Australia go up for a review! Lyon drops it full and gets the ball to grip and turn into the right-hander from a fuller length, landing just around the rough patch. It lands and sharply turns back in as Kusal Mendis leans on to defend with a full face. Gets beaten on the inside edge and the ball clips his front pad. UltraEdge shows no bat involved while the Ball Tracking comes up with the impact to be umpire's call! The ball is projected to be hitting the leg stump! Lyon cannot believe it. But if you looked at Mendis, the moment the review was taken, he indicated to Jayasuriya that he was hit outside off. Well, not entirely wrong!

OH JUST SO CLOSE! Could have been two in two for Webster! Had he held onto the catch, it would have been another screamer from him!  Tossed up nicely, outside off, turning away, Prabath Jayasuriya gets forward and chips it aerially and parallelly to the ground. Beau Webster as alert as he is, throws himself in the air, dives it to his left with his left hand stretched out but just doesn't reach to it. The ball rolls behind to mid off.

Prabath Jayasuriya walks in at number 9, replacing Ramesh Mendis. 25 balls left in the day.

OUT! TAKEN! Beau Webster, took a fabulous catch and now gets rewarded with a wicket in his very first over! Webster bowls it a bit quicker through the air and drops it fuller on middle and leg. Ramesh Mendis is hurried and leans forward to work it away to the leg side but ends up chipping it flat and straight to the short leg fielder. Travis Head stationed alert there, squatting to the batter, takes a fine catch. Two wickets in quick succession for Australia as Sri Lanka slip down further to 199/7, leading by 42 runs.

Pitches it on off, and turns it in, over middle, Kusal Mendis tucks it wide of square leg for a single.

Lands fuller and on off, Kusal Mendis defends it out to the off side.

Very slow and very full, clipped away to mid-wicket.

Tossed full and on leg, Kusal Mendis clips it to the short leg fielder.

A reward for some good fielding. Beau Webster has been given the ball and this time, he will bowl off spin. People who follow the Big Bash League have seen him bowl medium pace and off spinners in Australia's domestic T20 League.

Around off, full in length, Ramesh Mendis lunges forward and flicks it to the fielder in front of mid on.

Flat and quick, full on middle, Ramesh Mendis tilts ahead and works it to the mid-wicket region.

On off, full in length, turning in, clipped to the mid-wicket region.

Looped fuller and on the stumps, Ramesh Mendis leans forward and flicks it to the leg side.

Fuller and on middle and leg, Ramesh Mendis clips it off the inner half of the bat. The ball goes past the right of the backward square leg fielder.

Time for another controversy? Well, pretty surprised to see the umpires not wanting to check this catch. Mathews was disappointed more for his shot but did not bother asking the umpires whether the catch was legal. For a second, I thought Adrian Holdstock was about to chat with Joel Wilson to send this upstairs but then, changed his mind on seeing Mathews happy to walk off. Well, the replay shows that Beau Webster took the catch but then, immediately after the tumble, threw the ball up in the air in celebration. The rules state that the fielder has to be in total control of the catch. Not sure, Webster was and this was similar to the 1999 Herschelle Gibbs' incident. Think Australia might have got away with one here. Ramesh Mendis walks in next at number 8, replacing Angelo Mathews. 35 balls left in the day.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Finally a wicket for Australia! The patience level waned a bit, but credit to Beau Webster who has held onto a sensational catch. Angelo Mathews cannot believe and walks away to the dressing room. Lyon drops it fuller in length and gets a fair bit of turn into the batter from middle. Angelo Mathews shuffles a bit across off, and sits down on his knee and looks to slog sweep it aerially. Doesn't quite properly get his bat underneath the ball and goes through the shot and the bat also twists in his hands at the point of contact. Ends up mistiming it in the air off the inner half of the bat, behind square leg. The fielder hovering in that region, Beau Webster moves swiftly towards the ball and takes a sharp catch. A wicket at a vital time for Australia. Angelo Mathews departs now on 76 (149) and Sri Lanka are 198/6, leading by 41 runs.

Flighted up, full and on off, Kusal Mendis takes a good stride forward and defends it right under his eyes.

Good length, slightly outside off, and turning away. Angelo Mathews cuts it to deep backward point for a single.

Tossed up around off, driven straight to the off side.

Length and drifting on the pads, Kusal glances it through square leg for a single.

FOUR! Nice shot! Touch short and around off, Kusal Mendis picks the length early, rocks back and pulls it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Quick run! Slower through the air, in front of the sticks, Angelo Mathews keeps it out and eases it in front of backward point. Scoots through to the other end quickly.

Meanwhile, in Lahore, Shaheen Afridi has struck for the second time in the day, this time to dismiss Kane Williamson. The old rock played yet another solid innings of 58 and New Zealand find themselves at 134/3 in the 27th over. Daryl Mitchell is looking set at the other end on 41.

Fuller and dropped outside off, Kusal reverse sweeps it to deep third for a run.

There's that variation from Lyon! A tossed-up delivery, pitching fuller than a good length, and with some good turn in. Angelo Mathews plays it with soft hands and drops it ahead of the short leg fielder.

Flat and on a length, around off, Angelo Mathews covers the stumps and blocks it out.

Full again, and just outside off, Kusal Mendis sits down on his knee, and sweeps it along the carpet to deep mid-wicket. One more taken.

Tossed up, fuller and outside off, Angelo Mathews employs the reverse sweep to get a single at deep backward point.

Outside off, touch full and turning in a bit, Angelo Mathews shuffles across and pats it to the off side.

Starc is done for the day. He was not looking 100 percent fit and probably that was the reason why he did not bowl at all prior to this in the third session. He was brought back on as a desperate measure to find some reverse and break this partnership but now, given that there is no reverse on offer, he has been taken off. Nathan Lyon is back on. 21-1-70-2 so far.

Fuller, outside off, 92 kph, Angelo leans and drives it towards long off for a single.

A touch short, outside off, 90 kph, Mathews goes back and punches it towards cover.

Full, around off, 90 kph, Angelo Mathews lunges to defend.

Drags his length, around off, Mathews defends it back to the bowler.

Tossed up, using the drift, around middle, Angelo Mathews comes forward and defends it.

Starts from around the wicket, drops it short, around middle and leg, Angelo Mathews presses back, clears out his front leg and nudges it towards mid-wicket.

Matthew Kuhnemann returns. 18-4-44-3 so far.

FOUR! Down the leg side, Kusal Mendis just helps it to the fine leg fence. He gets his fourth four and the lead now moves to 30. That was a cutter attempted by Starc but the line was totally misdirected.

Complaint? Not for the first time. Travis Head has been trying to get the ball changed constantly in this last session, but has not been getting anything from the umpires. Australia are not getting even a simmer of a reverse with this ball and desperately want it to be changed. Nothing doing, says Adrian Holdstock this time.

Another good piece of running. Mathews just nudges it towards short mid-wicket and takes off for a single.  Kusal Mendis stutters slightly but eventually trusts his partner and goes through for the single. 50-RUN STAND IS UP!

On a good length, around off, Angelo Mathews nudges it towards short mid-wicket.

Goes fuller this time, outside off, Mathews covers the line and drives it to mid off.

Hard length, outside off, Angelo Mathews hops up a bit and punches it to cover.

On a good length, around off, angling into the batter, Angelo Mathews has taken the off stump guard as he comes forward and drops it down.

Full, around off, smothered out.

TOP EDGE, SAFE! Full, outside off, Mathews got down to sweep but the ball spun in and bounced, taking the top edge. Does not carry to Mitchell Starc at long leg. A run taken.

Outside off, swept through square leg for a run.

In the air but falls safe! Tossed up, around off, Angelo Mathews goes on his knee and goes for the sweep shot but instead manages to get a top edge that goes in the air towards deep square leg but falls well ahead of Mitchell Starc there. The batters run off for a single.

A loud appeal for LBW but is turned down by the umpire! Floated up, outside off, Angelo Mathews moves across and goes on his knee to sweep it but misses as the ball goes to the keeper after brushing his front pad. Australia aren't taking the review as Lyon tells Smith that the impact was outside off.

Drops it short, well outside off, Kusal Mendis reaches out and extends his arms to cut it towards deep point for a single.

EDGED, FOUR! Another streaky boundary. Outside off, on a length, Angelo Mathews pushes at it but the ball comes in with the angle, takes the inside edge and goes past the stumps to the fine leg fence!

Fuller, around off, Mathews is squared up but manages to push it back down the ground.

On a good length, defended to the off side.

Full and wide outside off, Kusal reaches out and steers it through the covers for a single.

On a good length, around off, from around the wicket, Mendis is squared up but manages to push it towards cover.

On a good length, outside off, Kusal Mendis punches it towards cover.

Change of pace. Mitchell Starc has been brought back upon, to try and find whether there is any reverse swing on offer. More importantly, to break this partnership. Can't wait to see the Kusal-Starc battle. A slight delay here as the groundstaff has been called upon to hammer the landing area.

Fuller, outside off, Kusal gets down and sweeps it powerfully towards deep square leg for a single. The stand moves to 40.

Outside off, 86 kph, big turn but way too short, Mendis gets back and nudges it to the leg side.

Full, outside off, Kusal Mendis gets a big stride to defend.

Flighted up, on the fourth stump, Kusal Mendis moves across and plays the premeditated sweep shot but misses and gets hit on the front pad. There is a mild appeal from the bowler but the impact is well outside off.

FOUR! FINDS THE GAP! Floated up, on the fourth stump, Kusal Mendis goes on his knee in quick time and slog sweeps it in the gap towards deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

From over the wicket, tossed up, just outside off, Kusal Mendis strides forward and looks to defend but gets it through the inner half of the bat to short fine leg.

A bit too full and quicker on the stumps, Angelo Mathews is solid in defence.

Full, on the stump, defended well straight.

FOUR! Cut away to precision! Dropped short from Matthew Kuhnemann, turns away with the pop of dust around off, Angelo Mathews cashes on it. He hangs back and finds the gap through backward point for a cracking boundary.

Nice and full, around off, Angelo Mathews leans on and defends.

Back of a length, around off, Angelo Mathews hangs back and cuts it to cover.

Too full and on middle, Angelo Mathews carves it out to the bowler.

DRINKS BREAK. Right, now things get interesting. One can see the Aussies getting frustrated with almost every run being scored. They have picked up 5 wickets but because this is Galle and batting in the 4th innings here is extremely difficult, don't want to chase many and especially do not want the game to drift away. Angelo Mathews is looking solid but this is the period which Kusal Mendis loves. Transferring pressure back onto the opposition. He has started to play his shots and with 14 overs left in the day, if Mendis bats through, the Lankans could swell the lead close to three quarters of a hundred. How many will the Lankans be happy with? As many as possible, of course! But 150 seems to be a decent number. The lowest target successfully defended in the 4th innings of a Test in Galle is 168, in 2009 when Rangana Herath snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against Pakistan. The highest target chased down in the 4th innings of a Test in Galle is 342, by Pakistan in 2022, but that was a different Galle Pitch. This is similar to the 2009 one.

Much fuller, just outside off, Mathews lunges and dabs it wide of backward point for a single.

Comes around the wicket, floated up, around off, Angelo Mathews comes forward and blocks it towards back to the bowler.

Tossed up, around off, Kusal Mendis again sweeps but for a single this time towards deep square leg.

FOUR! SWEPT AWAY! Comes over the wicket and gives air to the ball does Nathan Lyon and keeps it on the middle stump, Kusal Mendis goes on his knee again and sweeps it fine. The ball goes past leg slip and races away to the boundary at deep fine leg.

Drops it short, around leg, Kusal Mendis presses back and pulls it along the ground towards deep mid-wicket and runs for a quick couple. SRI LANKA INTO THE LEAD NOW!

SIX! UP AND OVER! There was a shout for the catch but the ball sailed well over the ropes! Tossed up by Lyon from around the wicket, around middle, Kusal Mendis goes on his knee and slog sweeps it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Full and around off, Angelo Mathews drives it to the off side, looking to get it past mid off, but the ball is sharply intercepted by the bowler. Matthew Kuhnemann moves and slides to his left to stop the ball.

Drifting on the pads, full in length, Kusal Mendis sweeps it to deep backward square leg for a single. 150 UP FOR SRI LANKA! Trail by 7 now.

Almost a half-tracker from Kuhnemann, on off, Angelo Mathews stands tall and punches it through vacant mid off for one more.

Turns away from a good length, around off, Angelo Mathews rocks back and knocks it away to the cover fielder.

A drag-downer on middle, Angelo Mathews quickly hangs back and punches it back to the bowler.

Dropped fuller and on the stumps, Kusal Mendis gets forward and clips it past mid-wicket for a single.

Again full, around middle, Angelo Mathews strides forward and clips it towards mid-wicket.

Drags his length a bit, around middle, Angelo Mathews blocks it off from the front foot.

Much slower through the air, around middle, Angelo Mathews lunges and clips it towards mid-wicket.

Floated up, around off, Angelo Mathews comes forward and pushes it back to the bowler.

Nagging length, around off, Mathews defends it to the beside of the right side of pitch and wants to take a run but is sent back by Kusal Mendis.

Much fuller, just outside off, Angelo Mathews shimmies down the track and jams at it back to the bowler.

Meanwhile, in Bulawayo, Lunch has been taken on Day 3 in the one-off Test between Zimbabwe and Ireland. The visitors are sitting nicely on 149/2, leading by 142. Skipper Andy Balbirnie has moved on to 53.

This is that in-drifter from Kuhnemann, sliding in on the leg stump, Kusal Mendis blocks it out. So, 4 runs off this over and now Sri Lanka trail by just 10 runs.

Fuller in length, and right on the stumps, Kusal Mendis defends with a stride forward.

On off, Kusal Mendis gets forward eases it to the off side.

EDGED AND THROUGH THE SLIPS! Bowls it flat and full on the stumps, does Matthew Kuhnemann. It lands and turns a shy bit away from the batter. Kusal Mendis leans forward with a good stride and goes for a defence, but the ball takes a thick outside edge and it bisects the two slip fielders to run away to the deep third fence for a boundary.

Flatter and around off, Kusal Mendis plays it off the back foot to backward point.

Length ball on off, Kusal Mendis hangs back and punches it straight to the cover fielder.

Around off, a flighted ball, spins in sharply. Mathews looks to defend but misses and is hit on the pads. Too much turn to even bother about an appeal.

On middle and leg, tucked through square leg for another single.

Fuller, on middle, flicked to deep square leg for one.

Outside off, spinning in, nudged behind square leg for a run.

Fuller, around middle, flicked through square leg for a single.

On middle and leg, nudged towards short fine leg.

Tossed up, outside off, Kusal Mendis reaches out and drives it towards cover.

Fuller, outside off, driven towards cover.

Way too full, on middle and leg, flicked through square leg for a run.

On middle and leg, Angelo Mathews works it towards short mid-wicket.

Fuller, around off, Kusal gets down and sweeps it through square leg for a single. The deficit is now 19.

Tossed up, around off, Kusal Mendis lunges and defends.

Outside off, spinning in, Angelo works it towards short mid-wicket.

Around off and middle, Mathews keeps it out.

Fuller, around off, Kusal Mendis lunges and pushes it towards long on for a run.

On middle and leg, turned behind square leg for a single.

On middle, Mathews flicks it through mid on but Josh Inglis throws himself to his left from short mid-wicket, showing great desperation, and keeps the batters in their crease.

Huge, confident appeal for LBW, turned down! No review taken as Lyon is not confident. Did that pitch in line? The replay seems to suggest a full ball pitching around leg stump and then straightening as the ball hit the pads, beating Mathews' flick. Ball Tracking shows the pitching to be outside leg. Excellent decision by the umpire and excellent awareness by Lyon to dissuade Smith from taking the review.

On middle and leg, defended solidly.

On middle and off, pushed down to long off for a single.

Fuller, around off, pushed to the off side.

Outside off, punched towards cover.

On middle, pushed down to the bowler.

Short, outside off, Angelo Mathews punches it towards cover.

Down the leg side, nudged fine for a single.

On a good length, around middle, defended from the crease.

Outside off, pushed to the off side.

On middle and leg, pushed to the leg side.

'OH NO!' yells Smith in frustration. Full, down the leg side, Mathews gets down to sweep but misses. The ball hits his pads, misses the stumps but then beats the keeper, Alex Carey and hits the helmet behind! 5 PENALTY RUNS GIVEN!

5 Penalty runs awarded to Sri Lanka. Now, that's why you don't keep helmets on the field.

Around middle and off, nudged towards square leg.

Full, on middle, defended forward.

Kusal Mendis walks in next at number 7, replacing his skipper, Dhananjaya de Silva.

OUT! CATCH NUMBER 198 IN TESTS and one of his best! Superman Smith at it again. Full, outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva comes forward to defend but the ball grips on the pitch and turns, with some bounce. The outside edge is generated and goes down but Steven Smith gets down and takes a screamer with his right hand, inches above the ground. Smith is sure but Dhananjaya is going nowhere. The umpires refer it upstairs and the first replay says that the hand is above the ground and the catch is clean. De Silva has to depart for a fighting 23 and the 47-run stand is broken. Sri Lanka are 128/5 and trail by 29 runs.

Outside off, dabbed towards backward point.

Around off, pushed to the off side.

Full, on middle, defended back to the bowler.

On middle and off, nudged to the leg side.

Around off, pushed back to the bowler.

Full, outside off, Mathews gets down and across and sweeps it through fine leg for a run.

Around off, nudged to the leg side.

Full, outside off, 88 kph, DdS pushes it towards cover.

Outside off, 89 kph, coming in, de Silva blocks it down the track.

Landed outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva comes forward and smothers the spin.

Outside off, pushed to the off side.

Fuller, around off, well kept out.

Outside off, pushed to the off side again.

Fuller, outside off, Mathews lunges to defend. NO BALL signalled.

SIX! 50 FOR MATHEWS! 45th in his career and possibly, a very, very vital one. What a way to get there too. Tossed up, outside off, Angelo Mathews stays leg side of the ball and lofts it through the line. The keeper, Alex Carey, yells at the fielder to take the catch, who is stationed at long off and he moves to his left but the ball sails well over him! Superb shot to bring up a superb knock. The stand moves to 43.

A bit of a round-arm action, a touch quicker, on middle, Mathews strides out to block.

Full, outside off, 82 kph, Angelo Mathews lunges to defend.

Just a small break. Matthew Kuhnemann is back on. 11-4-22-2 so far.

Around off, solidly defended by coming forward.

FOUR! Third boundary in the last 6 balls for the skipper! Landed outside off, just a bit short, Dhananjaya de Silva goes back and guides it expertly, to the right of his counterpart at first slip and gets the ball racing towards the ropes. The deficit is now 39.

Around off, solidly defended.

Outside off, 91 kph, Dhananjaya de Silva looks to cut with his feet rooted to the crease but misses. Smith gets excited for the catch but no one else appeals.

Short, outside off, 90 kph, Mathews punches it through the covers for a single.

Very full, on middle and off, 91 kph, Angelo Mathews digs it out towards short mid-wicket.

Around off, nudged to the leg side.

FOUR MORE! Full, outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva gets down and across this time and sweeps it pretty fine, beating short fine leg to his right! This stand is now worth 32.

FOUR! FLAMBOYANT! Landed outside off, de Silva goes on his knee and drives it against the turn, through the covers and finds the boundary! The deficit is now 48.

Landed outside off, driven back to the bowler.

Huge shout for LBW! Turned down. Lyon is on his haunches, thinking about something. Smith asks him whether he should go for the review but Lyon denies. Full, outside off, spinning in, Dhananjaya de Silva got across to defend but missed and was hit on the pads. Ball Tracking shows the impact to be outside off.

Full, outside off, 88 kph, Angelo Mathews gets down and reverse sweeps it behind point for a single. Taking a leaf from the Aussie books.

Full, around off, Dhananjaya de Silva defends watchfully.

Full, around middle, solidly defended.

Short, outside off, Angelo punches it towards point and sets off for a single, but is sent back. However, Beau Webster coming across to his right from point is lazy to bend and the ball goes through. Now, the single is taken.

Darted, 92 kph, on middle, Mathews is a bit late in getting his bat down to defend and the ball zips off the inside edge through fine leg. Couple of runs taken. Moves to 41, does Mathews.

Fuller, around off, 84 kph, pushed back to the bowler.

On middle, fuller in length, worked through mid-wicket for a single.

Interesting. An opportunity given to Cooper Connolly.

100 UP FOR SRI LANKA! Trail by 57. Landed outside off, pushed down to long on for a single.

EDGED, BUT THROUGH! Another slice of luck for Mathews. The straighter one, from Lyon, outside off, Angelo Mathews stays back to defend, expecting the ball to turn but this one goes straight on and squares him up. There is extra bounce from the rough and the leading edge is generated but it lobs over Steven Smith at first slip and runs down to deep third. A single taken. First run of the session. UltraEdge detects a flat line though, when the ball passes the bat.

On middle and leg, even quicker, 95 kph, AM works it rowards short fine leg again.

Darted on middle and off, 92 kph, Angelo gets across but manages to work it towards short fine leg.

Outside off, 81 kph, a touch short, Mathews gets back and across and nudges it towards short mid-wicket.

Full, around off, 91 kph, Angelo Mathews gets across and jabs it in front of short leg.

Welcome back for the final session of the day. It will be interesting to see who starts off proceedings with the ball. Given that 33 overs have been bowled, Smith could turn to Mitchell Starc for some reverse swing or maybe, bring him in the last 30-odd minutes of the day, for a wicket or two before Stumps. Out walk the two batters, Angelo Mathews and skipper Dhananjaya de Silva. No Starc for now. Spin to continue. It will be Nathan Lyon. 11-0-27-2 so far. Here we go...

... DAY 3, FINAL SESSION ...

In the other game, in Bulawayo, in the one-off Test between Zimbabwe and Ireland, the visitors have moved nicely to 130/2, leading by 123. They lost Curtis Campher this morning for 39, involved in a 75-run stand with skipper Andy Balbirnie, who is still going strong on 47. This is just Day 3, so there is plenty of time left in that match for twists and turns. After this Test, the white-ball format follows, in the form of 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is.

Meanwhile, in Pakistan, an ODI triseries has kicked off between New Zealand and Pakistan. The third team is South Africa. Was just having a chat with a colleague the other day and we were pondering about the last time we actually witnessed a triseries in ODIs between Test-playing nations. Turns out it was between Ireland, Bangladesh and West Indies, in Ireland, just ahead of the 2019 World Cup. This series too, is a precursor to the Champions Trophy and Pakistan have got a headstart in Lahore today. Shaheen Afridi struck on the 4th ball of the match to dismiss Will Young and as per the latest update, the Kiwis are 19/1 in the 5th over, after electing to bat.

30 overs are left in the day. The Lankans could continue to be positive but there needs to be one person who can play the long haul. Angelo Mathews can do that. Maybe, the likes of Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis can take on the Aussies and score quick runs and put the pressure back on them. Right now, the visitors look in control but if this remaining deficit is wiped off without any more loss of a wicket, there will be some kind of pressure on the Kangaroos as they would not want to chase anything more than 100 in the fourth innings. The final session is scheduled to begin at 9.30 am GMT.

Decent bowling from Australia so far. The pitch has been helping them and a little bit of help has been provided by the batters as well. There is a very thin line between being positive and being aggressive and sometimes, the latter approach results in a downfall. Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis found that. Matthew Kuhnemann has been excellent with his lines and lengths while Nathan Lyon has been accurate too. However, the surprise package has been Travis Head. His figures read 0/33 in 9 overs but everytime he has come on to bowl, it has caused some discomfort or the other to the batters and there is a feeling that a wicket is just around the corner.

Sri Lanka have come out positive in this batting attempt and it is not a bad option, given that there is one ball on this pitch which has your name on it. An attacking approach might take the bowlers off their lines and lengths and induce some mistakes from them. Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews have tried that and while the former fell to that ploy, the latter, after surviving a few early scares, has seemed pretty comfortable on 38. Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne could be termed as wickets off the pitch and hence, the Aussies would be confident that the indifference comes up even more in the final session.

Decent session for both sides in terms of runs but in the context of the match, have to put it down as an edge to Australia. They have picked up 4 wickets in the session and though the run rate is fairly decent, they have made significant blows in that batting order.

Outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva pushes it to the off side. TEA ON DAY 3, SRI LANKA ARE 98/4, TRAILING BY 59 RUNS.

Around off, worked towards short mid-wicket.

FOUR! Fine shot. Full, outside off, 86 kph, de Silva comes forward and drives it through the vacant mid off region for a boundary. The deficit is now 59.

Down the leg side, 94 kph, Dhananjaya de Silva helps it towards short leg.

Very full, outside off, 87 kph, Mathews reaches out and sweeps it to deep square leg for a single.

Full, around off, 93 kph, Angelo Mathews defends it back to the bowler.

Possibly the last over before Tea.

Outside off, punched towards cover.

Short, outside off, 83 kph, cut through the covers for a quick single.

Fuller, around middle and leg, 84 kph, AM stays leg side of the ball and drives it towards the bowler, to his left.

Quicker, on middle, 86 kph, Angelo literally gets down to crouch and block.

Fuller, outside off, a touch slower, Mathews lunges and pushes it to the off side.

Landed outside off, from around the wicket, 83 kph, Angelo Mathews lunges to defend.

Around middle and off, Dhananjaya gets across and nudges it towards short fine leg.

Flighted, outside off, the skipper goes hard on the drive and gets a bottom edge back to the bowler.

Full, outside off, de Silva leans and drives it through the covers for a couple.

On middle and leg, Dhananjaya de Silva goes back and tucks it to backward square leg.

Fuller, around middle, Mathews leans and flicks it in front of short leg. Marnus Labuschagne gets a bad bounce and just about takes his head away from the ball in time. A single taken to deep square leg.

Landed around middle, 87 kph, Angelo Mathews works it towards short leg.

Fuller again, around off, Dhananjaya de Silva lunges and defends it towards silly point.

Flighted full, around off and middle, Dhananjaya de Silva blocks it back to the bowler.

Nagging length, outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva presses back and cuts it but again finds that extra cover fielder.

Much slower through the air, around middle, Dhananjaya de Silva turns it towards mid-wicket.

Too short, outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva misses out on that one as he cuts it hard but straight to the extra cover fielder.

Starts from around the wicket, tossed up, around off, Dhananjaya de Silva lunges and defends it right under his eyes.

Seems like Nathan Lyon is off the field. Nathan McSweeney is on as a substitute. Matthew Kuhnemann comes back on. 9-3-21-2 so far.

Flighted ball, just around off, Angelo Mathews blocks it on the front foot.

Tossed up on the stumps, Angelo Mathews steers it to short leg.

Shorter and spinning into the batter, around off, Dhananjaya de Silva is on the back foot and punches it through cover-point fir a single.

Lands on middle and full in length, turning in, Angelo Mathews clips it to short fine for a single.

Full and outside off again, Angelo Mathews leans on it and drives it past covers for a couple of more runs. Should have been three and Mathews even set off for the third but Dhananjaya de Silva sends him back.

Pushed through, full and outside off, Angelo Mathews first looks to sweep it away but realizes that he has gone too close to the ball and adjusts it by driving it to deep backward point for a couple of runs.

Travis Head (6-0-19-0) is back. He replaces Matthew Kuhnemann.

Nagging length, around off, Dhananjaya de Silva comes forward and defends it back to the bowler.

Drags his length a bit, around middle, Angelo Mathews presses back and turns it towards square leg for a single.

BEATEN! Much slower through the air, just outside off, Angelo Mathews changes his stance and looks to reverse sweep it but misses as the ball goes through the gap between bat and pad. The keeper collects the ball and dislodges the bails but Mathews is well inside of the crease.

Keeps it shorter, around leg, Mathews blocks it towards short leg.

Nagging length, around off, Angelo Mathews moves across to cover the stumps and manages to drop it down off the inner half of the bat towards the leg slip fielder.

Tossed up, from around the wicket, on middle, Angelo goes across and nudges it towards mid-wicket.

Keeps bowling on the fuller length, does Kuhnemann, on the stumps, Dhananjaya de Silva is resolute and defends it on the front foot.

Pushed through fuller on the stumps, Dhananjaya de Silva defends it well in front.

Fuller one again, Dhananjaya de Silva again prods forward to block it out.

Nice and full now, on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva responds with a front foot block.

Closer to the body, on middle, on a length, Dhananjaya de Silva blocks it off the back foot.

Length ball, on off, punched off the back foot to the bowler.

Matthew Kuhnemann (8-2-21-2) is back into the attack, replacing Travis Head.

Tossed up, around middle, Dhananjaya de Silva drills it to long on for a single to get off the mark.

Flighted full, around off, Dhananjaya de Silva comes forward and defends it towards silly point.

Sri Lankan skipper, Dhananjaya de Silva is in at number 6 now.

OUT! CAUGHT! The partnership of 42 runs is broken and Sri Lanka lose their fourth wicket. The GOAT provides the much-needed breakthrough which Australia were looking for. He bowls slower and gives air to the ball, pitches up and outside off, and tempts the batter to go for a drive. Kamindu Mendis makes room and his eyes get light up after seeing the overpitched ball. He uses his wrists and looks to drive it over mid off but the ball goes in the air towards the fielder where Usman Khawaja makes no mistake as he moves to his right and judges the catch to take a reverse cup at his face. Sri Lanka are 81/4 and they are trailing by 76 runs.

Floated up, around middle, Mathews clips it wide of square leg for a single.

Tossed up, around middle, Kamindu Mendis goes on his knee to sweep it and gets it through the outer half of the bat as the ball goes uppishly towards deep fine leg. The fielder Matthew Kuhnemann makes a fumble but the batter only takes a single.

Touch short, outside off, Angelo Mathews turns it to the right of mid-wicket and runs off for a quick single.

Good length, around middle, Kamindu Mendis defends it in front of covers.

Full on the stumps, Kamindu blocks it to the leg side.

Tossed up, full and on leg, Kamindu Mendis defends on the front foot to mid-wicket.

Good length and just outside off, Kamindu Mendis gets an outside edge on a bounce to Webster at second slip, but since it is played with soft hands, it lands on the bounce.

Was there a nick? Certainly! But Carey doesn't hold on to it. Pitched full and outside off, Kamindu Mendis goes for a reverse sweep but the ball brushes off the glove and pops in and out of the keeper's gloves. A very short reaction time for the keeper, in milliseconds to hold on to the catch, but we have seen these being taken.

Pitched on a length, on middle and leg, Angelo Mathews hangs back and turns it away to deep backward square leg for a single.

Keeps it shorter, around off, Angelo Mathews comes forward and flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Nagging length, outside off, Kamindu Mendis presses back and gets enough room to extend his arms as he cuts it wide of cover. The fielder, Cooper Connolly gives it a chase and pulls it back just around the ropes to save the boundary. The batters run for three.

Much fuller, around off and middle, Kamindu Mendis takes a step out and blocks it off.

Drags his length a bit, around middle, Mathews goes back and nudges it towards square leg for a single.

A loud appeal from the keeper this time for LBW but is turned down by the umpire. Australia aren't going for the review. Floated up, around off, turns in, Angelo Mathews comes forward and looks to flick it but misses and gets hit high on the back pad. Clearly, it is going down leg.

Tossed up, around off, Angelo Mathews takes a step forward and blocks it off towards mid-wicket.

Pitched fuller and around off, this is driven past cover-point for a single.

An appeal for caught behind, but more than the keeper, it is Steven Smith who looks very ambitious, but gets no reaction from the umpire whatsoever! A flighted-delivery by Head, lands on a length and fairly outside off, Mathews slashes hard at it but misses. Smith at the first slip thought he heard something but the UltraEdge shows no spike.

Short and turning away from off, this is pushed to sweeper covers for a single.

FOUR! Nice shot! Dropped fuller and on off, Kamindu Mendis switches his stance and reverse sweeps it past backward point for a cracking boundary.

A full toss outside off, Angelo Mathews sweeps along the ground to deep square for a single.

Length ball, turning back in from off, Angelo Mathews hangs back and taps it to short cover. Looks for a single and runs a couple of steps ahead but is sent back by his partner.

Short again, stays low, and turns away a bit, Angelo Mathews gets squared up and gets surprised by the low bounce as well but manages to push it off the toe end of the bat towards cover for a quick single.

Floated up, around middle, Angelo Mathews comes forward and defends it back to the bowler.

Tossed up, outside off, Kamindu Mendis uses his feet to get to the pitch of the ball and drives it hard towards cover. The fielder dives to his left and makes a half stop and restrict the batters to just a single.

Comes around the wicket, nagging length, around leg, Mathews drops it down towards short fine leg for a quick single.

Keeps it shorter, in the same line, Angelo Mathews stays deep in the crease and uses his wrists to flick it uppishly to the left of mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Nagging length, on the fourth stump, Angelo Mathews moves across and nudges it to mid-wicket.

Tossed up on off. It lands and grips sharply, Kamindu Mendis leans forward to defend but it zips past the outside edge of the bat.

An appeal for LBW but not given. Steven Smith walks to the bowler and Alex Carey is involved in the discussion as well. And Australia have gone upstairs to challenge this one. Pitched up, very full and around the leg stump line. Kamindu sits down on his knee and looks to sweep but misses and the ball pings on the front pad. UltraEdge shows no bat involved and the Ball Tracking comes up and confirms that it is pitching outside the leg stump line. NOT OUT!

Short of a length outside off, cut away straight to backward point.

Straighter and outside off, Kamindu Mendis covers the stumps and makes a watchful leave.

Slower and outside off, Angelo Mathews reverse sweeps it to deep third for a single.

Sharp turn into the batter on a length, Angelo Mathews tucks it across to short mid-wicket.

Tossed up, around middle with drift, Kamindu Mendis comes forward and looks to push it to the leg side but gets a thick outside edge towards backward point.

Nagging length, around off, Kamindu Mendis uses his feet to get to the pitch of the ball and opens the face of the bat to block it towards cover.

Drags his length a bit, around middle, Mendis drops it down towards mid on.

Fuller again, around middle, Kamindu Mendis comes forward and pushes it to cover.

Tossed up, around middle, Kamindu Mendis changes the grip and reverse sweeps it but straight to backward point.

Nagging length, outside off, from over the wicket, Angelo Mathews transfers his weight to the back foot and clips it wide of square leg for a single.

Tossed up, on off, Kamindu Mendis goes for a drive but it zips past the outside edge.

Full on the stumps, Mathews pushes it to the left of Inglis at mid-wicket for a quick single. The deficit has come down under 100.

Lands it fairly outside off, flat and full, Angelo Mathews steps out and tries to drive but misses. Alex Carey fails to cleanly grab the ball behind the wickets as Mathews gets back into the crease.

WHOA! How did that miss the off-pole? A looped-up off-break, landing well outside off, turning in sharply off the surface with a pop of dust. Mathews shuffles well across off and looks to defend it but gets beaten and finds himself in an awkward position as the ball bounces and goes between his legs, and goes above the off stump. Carey is blinded by the batter and does not collect the ball and it runs away for four leg byes to deep fine.

Nice and full, on off, Angelo Mathews presses forward and pushes it back to the bowler.

Head is back on. He replaces Matthew Kuhnemann! Bowls it flat and quick on off, Angelo Mathews clips it to the mid-wicket region.

Drops it short, around middle, turns in, Angelo Mathews goes back and nudges it towards deep square leg for a single.

Slower through the air, much fuller on the fourth stump, Kamindu Mendis makes room and drives it uppishly towards long off for a single.

Flighted off, just outside off, Kamindu takes a step forward and defends it towards cover.

Floated up, around off, Kamindu Mendis blocks it off.

A massive appeal for LBW but is turned down by the umpire. Steven Smith asked his players and decided to take a review here! This looks close to the naked eye. Nathan Lyon drags his length a bit, and keeps it slower, around middle, coming in with the angle. Kamindu Mendis presses half-forward and looks to defend it but gets beaten on the inside edge and gets hit on the front pad. The third umpire comes into play as the UltraEdge shows that there is no bat involved and the Ball Tracking presents that it will clip the leg stump so it will be the umpire's call. The on-field decision is upheld. Meaning, Australia won't lose their review.

Floated up, around off, Kamindu Mendis defends it to forward short leg.

DRINKS BREAK. Well then, the first session was bossed up by the Lankans with the ball, but this first half of the second session has been dominated completely by the Australian bowlers. After trying out a couple of options, Steven Smith has now stuck to his mainstream spinners and they have been very productive. Matthew Kuhnemann and Nathan Lyon, both have well and truly pegged Sri Lanka on the back foot as they are already into the middle order, having a gigantic task ahead of them. They not only have to complete the 106 runs, but have to ensure that they set a challenging total on the board for the Aussies. But for that, they need a strong partnership and convert starts into some meaningful scores. But batting is expected to get more and more difficult as this pitch wears on. Will Sri Lanka see through the session without losing any further wickets? Here's Nathan Lyon to continue after the hydration break. He is 5-0-9-1 so far.

Tossed up nicely, fuller and on off, Angelo Mathews defends it out safely.

Flat and on a length, outside off, Kamindu Mendis gets on the back foot and knocks it down to long on for another single.

Good length, on off, Angelo Mathews drags it off the back foot to long on for a single. 50 up for Sri Lanka with this single.

Around off on a good length, Angelo Mathews rocks back and knocks it off the lower half of the bat.

Looped fuller on middle, Angelo Mathews leans forward and plays it off the inside half of the bat to short mid-wicket.

On middle and on a length, Angelo Mathews hangs back and punches it back to the bowler.

Tossed up, around off and middle, Kamindu Mendis defends it off the front foot.

Nagging length, outside off, Angelo Mathews moves across and gets squared up as he looks to defend it. The ball takes the outer half of the bat and goes towards deep third man for a single.

Comes over the wicket, drops it short, outside off, Angelo Mathews presses back and nudges it to mid-wicket.

Flighted full, just outside off, Kamindu Mendis presses back and dabs it towards backward point for a single.

Full, outside off, Kamindu Mendis drops it down towards point and wants to have a quick single but is sent back by Angelo Mathews.

Just short! From around the wicket, tossed up, around off, Kamindu Mendis shimmies down the track and looks to flick it but gets it through the inner half of the bat. The ball goes uppishly towards the mid-wicket fielder Travis Head but falls just ahead of him.

FOUR! Up and over! In better control this time, was Mathews. Tossed up, outside off, Angelo Mathews took the challenge on and decided to go over the top. Usman Khawaja was stationed around three quarters inside the ropes, for a possible miscue but the ball sailed well over him, bouncing into the ropes. Second four for Mathews.

Landed around off, 88 kph, Angelo defends coming forward again.

Full, just around off, Mathews exhibits a solid forward defense.

On middle and leg, pushed through mid on for a single to get off the mark by Kamindu Mendis.

A touch short, outside off, Angelo Mathews goes back and punches it through the covers. The ball races across the turf but Josh Inglis covers good ground, racing hard, gets to the ball with a dive and pulls it back in. Goes beyond the ropes, comes back in and returns the ball. Three runs taken.

Fuller, around off, defended from the front foot.

Outside off, pushed towards the off side. 2 runs and a wicket from the over, 6/2 in the last 2 overs.

Full, around off, from around the wicket, coming in with the arm, Kamindu Mendis comes forward to defend but misses and is hit on the pads. Carey appeals for LBW but Lyon himself indicates inside edge and the Aussies bail out.

Kamindu Mendis walks in next at number 5, replacing Dinesh Chandimal.

OUT! CAUGHT! 550 TEST WICKETS FOR THE GOAT! In an attempt to be positive, Chandimal gives it away. Flighted, outside off, Dinesh Chandimal charges down the track and accepts the invitation. Looks to go over the top of mid off but is a bit too close to the ball and hence, cannot find the elevation. The ball hits the lower part of the bat and goes flat towards mid off. It is dipping but Beau Webster uses his big reach and dives to his right, taking a fine catch. Chandimal departs for 12 and Sri Lanka are 39/3, trailing by 118 runs.

TOP EDGE, SAFE! Mathews has come out with ultra-positive intent. Flighted, outside off, Mathews gets down to play the slog sweep but gets a massive top edge. Does not carry to Mitchell Starc running in from long on. A run taken.

Comes down the track and hits it to long on for a single.

Fuller, around off, Dinesh Chandimal lunges to defend.

FOUR! Lucky! Attack is the best form of defense for Mathews. He decides early to go for the sweep but plays it way too early. The ball comes in, bounces and goes off the top edge. Luckily for him, it goes over Cooper Connolly at short mid-wicket and runs down to the fence. 4 runs and a wicket from the over, Matthew Kuhnemann's figures read 6-2-11-2 so far.

On a good length, around off, a stoic defense on offer.

On middle and leg again, flicked towards short mid-wicket once more.

On middle and leg, clipped towards short mid-wicket.

Fuller, around middle, defended solidly.

Angelo Mathews walks in next at number 4, replacing Dimuth Karunaratne.

OUT! Caught behind! Straightaway referred by Dimuth Karunaratne. By the reaction of Alex Carey, seems like it missed the bat. But no, UltraEdge confirms a spike as the ball goes past the bat! And that, unfortunately, brings an end to a glorious career of FRANK DIMUTH MADUSHANKA KARUNARATNE. He plays his last inning in his 100th Test and gets a fist punch and a hug from his mate, Chandimal as he walks back. Good gesture from the Aussies too, congratulating him for his hard work. The best opener for Sri Lanka in Test cricket, the adjective given by Russel Arnold on air, not even one of the best. He has been a star for them, the original version of glue in cricket. Especially in the second innings. Salutations for his effort and achievements as the entire Galle stadium stands up and applauds. Coming to the ball, it was a fuller one outside off. Dimuth Karunaratne lunged to defend but the ball came in with the angle and went through to the keeper. Kuhnemann immediately went up for the caught behind appeal but Carey was not so certain and was focusing more on the stumping and appealing for that. But umpire Joel Wilson heard a noise and raised his finger. Karunaratne did seem confident while taking the review but technology deemed it otherwise. He departs for 14 and Sri Lanka are 33/2, trailing by 124.

Around the wicket for the final ball, fuller on middle, goes straight on with the arm, Chandimal defends by coming forward.

Around off, the length slightly held back, defended from the crease.

Full, outside off, Dinesh Chandimal goes for the big sweep but misses.

The arm ball now, on middle, Dimuth looks to defend but the ball scoots through, takes the inside edge and flies to the left of short leg before he can even react. A single taken.

Hmmm... jumps down the track, does Karunaratne, trying to get Lyon off his line and length. The opportunity is there, as the length is full but Karunaratne gets too close to the ball. Looks to drive straight but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads, with the ball dribbling back towards the bowler.

Full, around middle, 85 kph, Dimuth Karunaratne lunges to defend.

The arm ball, angling into the leg stump, 91 kph, Dinesh Chandimal stays leg side of the ball and drives it towards cover. Consecutive maidens for Matthew Kuhnemann.

Fuller, around middle, DC pushes it back to the bowler.

Tossed up, around middle and off, Dinesh itches to come down the track but then comes half forward and defends.

Around middle and off, blocked towards the leg side.

Around off, this time Chandimal leans and defends it in front of silly point.

Flighted, around middle and leg, 91 kph, Dinesh Chandimal looks to defend but the ball rears off the pitch. Well negotiated by Chandimal in the end, taking his bottom hand off the bat. The ball hits the willow and drops well ahead of short leg.

Tossed up, around middle, Chandimal again goes on his knee and executes the sweep for a single to deep fine leg.

Slower through the air, but down the leg side, turns in, Dinesh Chandimal goes on his knee and moves across to sweep it but misses. The keeper Alex Carey collects the ball by moving to his left and makes a slight appeal for caught behind but no one is interested in that.

Comes over the wicket, touch fuller, outside off, Dinesh Chandimal moves across and defends it towards cover point.

Outside off, Dimuth pushes it through point for a single.

The arm ball, 90 kph, Karunaratne looks to defend but misses and gets hit on the pads. The keeper, Alex Carey, starts to appeal for LBW, but then realizes that there was an inside edge. The appeal dies down quickly.

Full, around off, 82 kph, Dimuth Karunaratne gets well forward and defends.

A MAIDEN! The first of the innings. Flatter, around middle, Chandimal drops it down back to the bowler off the front foot.

Slower through the air this time, around middle, Dinesh Chandimal comes forward and drives it towards cover where Josh Inglis makes a slide to his right and stops the ball.

Darts in full, around off and middle, Dinesh Chandimal blocks it off.

Quick ball again, 90 kph, but way down the leg side, Dinesh misses his flick and is hit on the pads.

The arm ball, following the batter down the leg side, 96 kph, Chandimal punches it back to the bowler.

Full, outside off, 89 kph, Dinesh Chandimal leans and pushes it towards cover.

One more for Head? Nope. The experimentation is stopped. Back to the regulars. Matthew Kuhnemann gets a change of ends as well. 3-0-7-1 from the other end.

Floated up, around middle, Dimuth Karunaratne shimmies down the track and flicks it straight to mid-wicket.

Much fuller, around off, Dimuth lunges and defends it to cover.

Tossed up, outside off, Dimuth Karunaratne drives it on the up towards cover.

Excellent running. We saw this in the first innings as well from Chandimal. Outside off, Chandimal leans and just drops the ball on the off side, towards point and has enough time to complete the run before cover can get to his left.

Landed a touch wide outside off, 85 kph, Dinesh Chandimal gets a long way across and defends.

Flighted, outside off, Dimuth Karunaratne leans and drives it towards long off for a single.

Steven Smith making the changes quick and fast. Brings on Nathan Lyon from the end of Kuhnemann. By the looks of it, Head might be replaced in the next over too.

Drags his length a bit, around off, Dinesh Chandimal drops it down towards cover.

FOUR! GLORIOUS! Much fuller from Head, around off, Dinesh Chandimal lunges and drives it to the left of the bowler. Usman Khawaja runs into his left from long on but the ball races away to the boundary.

Tossed up, from over the wicket, outside off, Dinesh Chandimal moves across and defends it to cover.

Shorter and quicker, outside off, 94 kph, Karunaratne punches it through the covers for one.

Excellent seam position, pretty upright, landing outside off, on the rough, sliding on, Dinesh Chandimal stays half forward to defend and gets a bit of an outside edge behind point. Takes the run.

From around the wicket, full, outside off, 81 kph, Dimuth Karunaratne leans and presses it towards point for a single.

Pushes it through, full around middle, Dimuth Karunaratne transfers his body weight to the front foot and flicks it to long on for a single.

Nagging length, around off, Dimuth turns it towards mid-wicket.

Tossed up, around off, Dimuth Karunaratne shimmies down the track to negotiate the turn and defends it back to the bowler.

Slower, 86 kph, around off, a touch fuller, Dimuth comes forward and pushes it to the off side.

A touch short, down the leg side, 88 kph, Karunaratne misses his flick.

Full, on middle, 89 kph, going staright on with the arm, Dimuth Karunaratne comes forward and drives it back to the bowler.

Drops it full, does Head, in the line of the stumps, Dimuth Karunaratne drives it straight down the ground for a single as the mid on fielder intercepts it to his right.

Lands it full and outside off, Dinesh Chandimal strides across and drives it past cover for one.

Drops fuller again, on the stumps. Chandimal flicks it to short mid-wicket.

Some grip and turn, full and on the stumps, Dinesh Chandimal defends it off the outer half of the bat to the off side.

Touch slower than the previous ball, full and in the line of the stumps, blocked off by Dinesh.

Pitched fuller and on middle, Dinesh Chandimal defends it out.

Home woes? Normally, players enjoy playing at home and understandably have a better record at home, than away. But it is a bit different for Pathum Nissanka. Or shall we say, VERY different. Away from home, Nissanka averages 52.72 with 6 50-plus scores in 13 Test innings. But at home, it plummets to 23.73 with only 3 50-plus scores in 15 innings! Meanwhile, a bit of a gamble from Smith. Trying to challenge the ego of Chandimal. Gets Travis Head on very early. Dismissed Kamindu Mendis in the first innings.

Full and on the off-stump line, Dimuth Karunaratne responds with a firm front foot block.

Flat and on a length, Dimuth Karunaratne stays on the back foot and tucks it across to Beau Webster at mid-wicket.

Much fuller this time around, on the leg stump, Dimuth Karunaratne flicks it again but finds the fielder at mid-wicket.

FOUR! Touch of class that! Fuller in length, and on middle and leg, Dimuth Karunaratne leans forward and flicks it past the diving mid-wicket fielder for a boundary.

Pitched around the leg stump line, on a length, Dinesh Chandimal glances it along the ground to deep square leg for a single.

Nice and full, on the stumps, Dinesh Chandimal lunges ahead and blocks it straight.

Gets that lateral movement off the deck, does Starc, outside off, on a length, Dimuth Karunaratne offers no shot at it.

Fuller and on off. Chandimal drives wide of mid off for a single.

Touch fuller and around off, Dimuth Karunaratne goes for a drive but gets it more off the inner half of the bat. The ball rolls wide of mid-wicket and the batters sprint for a quick single.

Hard length again from Starc, Dinesh Chandimal punches it off the back foot and gets it past cover for a single.

Angling into the right-hander, on the back of a length, Dinesh Chandimal hops on the back foot to defend but the ball hits the toe end of the bat and dribbles near him.

Hard length, with a gentle outswing on offer, Dimuth Karunaratne hangs back and cuts it to deep point for a single.

Oh, so close! Fuller than a good length, lands around off and then grips away. Dinesh Chandimal leans ahead and makes a tight leave.

The length is now dragged back, angling into the batter. Chandimal is cramped for room and he flicks off the inside edge onto the pads.

Touch fuller and on off. Chandimal gets forward and defends in the off side.

Dinesh Chandimal walks in at number 3, replacing Pathum Nissanka.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Outfoxed and outplayed! Matthew Kuhnemann weaves his magic in the very first over and Sri Lanka lose their first wicket already! This is an arm ball, from around the stumps. It keeps coming into the batter and slides into the middle and leg stump channel on a good length. Pathum Nissanka is found in two minds whether to commit on the front foot or go on the back foot. Finds himself pinned on the crease and cramped up for room as he tries to negotiate it from the back foot. But the ball skids and sneaks through the gap between the bat and the pad to crash into the stumps. Sri Lanka are 9/1 and trail by 148 runs.

Floated fuller and on middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka leans on to defend but gets the inside edge on the bounce to Marnus Labuschagne at short leg. He collects the ball and seeing Pathum Nissanka out of the crease, smartly throws it back to the keeper, but Nissanka does well to get quickly back into the crease.

Dimuth gets off the mark as well! Matthew Kuhnemann begins from around the stumps and lands it quick and flat, on a length, Dimuth Karunaratne hangs back and punches into the covers for a single.

Matthew Kuhnemann it will be from the other end. 3/63 in the first innings.

Hard length, around off, Nissanka shoulders arms. So, 8 from the first over for Sri Lanka!

FOUR! A good start for Nissanka this! Pitched fuller and across off, not a bad ball at all, Pathum Nissanka frees his hands, leans on it and drives it through covers for a boundary.

Back of a length, outside off, Pathum Nissanka lets it be.

FOUR! What a way to get off the mark! Another gentle inswinger from Starc, full and coming right back into the middle stump, Pathum Nissanka with a nice elbow extension, plays it with straight bat and drives it gun-barell straight down the ground for a boundary.

Slants it across off on a length, Pathum Nissanka leaves.

A muted appeal for caught behind, but the keeper Carey isn't interested! Starc begins with a wobbled-seam delivery, coming back into the right-hander around the leg stump line. Pathum Nissanka misses to glance it away and the ball brushes off the thigh pad for the keeper to collect.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! That's it! Sri Lanka have managed to wrap Australia in this first session of the third day! They have made the second new ball count! Seeing Matthew Kuhnemann dancing down the track, Ramesh Mendis smartly drags his length and lands the ball fuller than a good length, in front of the sticks, Matthew Kuhnemann goes through the shot but misses as the ball lands and grips. Turns away a shy bit which is enough to beat the outside edge and goes on to crash into the stumps. Australia end their innings at 414, with a lead of 157 runs. And that will be LUNCH ON DAY 3!

Two slips in place now! Some turn around off and full in length, Matthew Kuhnemann safely defends it back to the bowler.

Flat and full, on middle, swept away by Lyon, in control to deep square leg for a single.

Ramesh keeps it fairly outside off, on a fuller length, Lyon misses to sweep it away.

On middle and full, Matthew Kuhnemann responds with a forward defence.

Just clears the bowler! Fuller and outside off, Matthew Kuhnemann lifts it over the bowler's head for a couple of runs. Jayasuriya leaps to get his hands on it but it passes well above and is mopped up by the fielder in the deep, around the long off region.

Very full, on the stumps, turning in. Matthew Kuhnemann defends it straight.

Full again, in front of the sticks. Lyon lunges forward to defend but the inside edge takes the ball rolling towards mid-wicket for a single.

Nice and full, kept out safely.

A muted appeal for LBW, not given! Full and drifting into the leg stump, Nathan Lyon gets forward to defend and misses as the ball raps his front pad.

EDGED AND FOUR! From around the wicket, Ramesh Mendis tosses it up, on the fourth stump, Matthew Kuhnemann comes forward to defend it with the full face of the bat but he plays inside of the line and gets a thick outside edge. The ball goes to the left of the first slip and runs away to the boundary at deep third man. The replays show that it was well within the reach of Dhananjaya de Silva and he could have at least saved the boundary.

Nagging length, around off, Matthew Kuhnemann again drops it down towards cover.

Tossed up, around off, Matthew Kuhnemann comes forward and defends it.

Matthew Kuhnemann is the last man in, replacing Beau Webster.

OUT! BOWLED! Another one hits the stumps! That's the third bowled dismissal in this innings, and all this morning. A wicket at last for Ramesh Mendis. He has toiled and toiled hard and eventually, got something to his name. A lovely flighted off break, outside off, Beau Webster lunges using his reach, looking to defend but then the ball dips, lands on the footmarks and then spins viciously past the inside edge, going between bat and pad, to hit the stumps. Hardly any celebration from Ramesh, been that sort of an inning for him. Webster departs for a well-made 31 and Australia slip from 350/3 to 406/9! The lead reads 149.

Around off, 85 kph, Webster lunges to defend.

Farming time. Full, around off, Beau Webster flicks it to deep mid-wicket but does not take the single.

Around 6 minutes to go for Lunch. Fair enough to say that Sri Lanka will not bat before Lunch. But if they take the 9th wicket and the clock ticks past the scheduled Lunch break time, then this morning session could be extended. Field spread meanwhile, for Webster.

Tossed up, around middle and leg, Nathan Lyon comes forward and looks to defend it but misses and the ball hits him on the front pad and lobs up in the air. The short leg fielder catches it.

11th 5-wicket haul in Tests for the 'Galle'dozer. He has been given that name for a reason. Out of Prabath Jayasuriya's 11 Test 5-fers, 9 have come in Galle! That too, in just 18 innings. How fitting to get Mitchell as your Michelle! He now stands level with Rangana Herath, for the most 5-fors in Galle in Tests, only behind Muttiah Muralidaran who took 11 at this venue. Nathan Lyon comes out to bat now, at number 10, replacing Mitchell Starc.

OUT! BOWLED! Australia are eight down and they have lost five wickets in the first session! Prabath Jayasuriya is on a roll here as he picks up another five-wicket haul here! He tosses this up, from around the wicket, and keeps it in the arc of the batter to tempt him to take it on. Mitchell Starc looks to sweep it but misses the line of the ball. The ball skids through the surface and goes past the bottom part of the bat and rattles the off stump. Australia are 406/8 and they have a lead of 149 runs.

Tossed up, just outside off, Mitchell Starc comes forward and looks to drive but gets beaten on the outside edge.

The slider now, going on with the arm, fuller, around off, Mitchell looks to defend but misses.

A touch slower through the air, 78 kph, around middle, coming back in, Starc looks to flick it away but misses and is hit on the pads. The Lankans appeal for LBW but the umpire shakes his head. Too high was the impact.

Landed outside off, 88 kph, Mitchell Starc stays back and defends.

In the stumps line, fuller, Beau Webster lunges and defends it back to the bowler.

Drags his length a bit, around off, Starc goes back and looks to punch it off the back foot but gets it through the inner half of the bat towards mid on for a single.

Tossed up, just outside off, from around the wicket, Mitchell Starc comes forward and defends it to cover.

Landed around middle and leg, with a bit of flight, 81 kph, Starc offers a compact forward defense.

A touch short, outside off, spinning in, 83 kph, Beau Webster moves to the leg side and punches it through mid off for a run.

A touch short, outside off, from around the wicket, 88 kph, Mitchell Starc stays back and punches it through the covers for a single.

Drags his length a bit, around off, Beau Webster goes back and pushes it back to the bowler.

Much fuller, around off, Webster drives it towards cover.

FOUR! BOUNDARY DESPITE A GOOD ATTEMPT IN THE FIELD! Tossed up, around off, Beau Webster goes on his knee and covers the line of the ball to sweep it towards deep backward square leg. Ramesh Mendis runs in some yards from deep square leg to his right and even makes a dive but can't save the boundary. 400 UP FOR AUSTRALIA! They lead by 146.

Full, around middle, Webster defends it solidly.

Ouside off, pretty hit down the ground but the bowler gets to his left to collect.

Full, around off, Beau Webster gets a big stride to push the ball away towards short mid-wicket. He looks for a single and Starc responds but then, collides with Jayasuriya moving to his right, to try and stop the ball. Seeing that, Webster sends Starc back.

Change of ends for Prabath Jayasuriya. 35-5-144-4 so far.

Fuller, outside off, Beau Webster uses his long levers to reverse sweep it towards deep point for a single.

AGAIN A DROP? Mendis drops it short this time, around off, the ball skids through the surface and takes an extra bounce, Beau Webster goes back and looks to punch it and there is a noise as the ball goes to the right of the keeper, Kusal Mendis who can't hold onto this tough chance. The replays show that there was a faint outside edge so it was clearly chance.

A CHANCE? Tossed up, around middle, Mitchell Starc makes room and drives it to the right of the bowler. The ball goes uppishly but low and the bowler Ramesh Mendis makes a dive to his right but the ball bursts out through his right hand and parries away towards mid off for a single.

Landed around middle, from around the wicket, 81 kph, Mitchell Starc gets a big stride to defend.

Around off, Webster uses his long reach, gets to the ball and reverse sweeps it behind point for a single. The lead moves to 140.

Full, around off, Beau Webster defends.

Ramesh Mendis comes in as the first bowling change of the day. 19-0-70-0 so far.

Pitched fuller and around off, Starc blocks it out again.

Too full, at 84 kph, in the line of the stumps, Mitchell Starc blocks it solidly.

Nice and full, on off, Mitchell Starc gets forward and defends it out to the off side.

Full around off, Starc defends it out to cover.

Closer to the off pole, full and turning away again, Starc is again beaten on the outside egde.

An arm ball, pitched fuller and just outside off, Mitchell Starc draws his front foot out to defend out, but the ball grips, holds and gently turns away, beating the outside edge.

Looking at Beau Webster, he almost seems like a mirror image of Matthew Hayden. His reach is so far, that he is actually taking the ball from the 3-metre mark! He is 6 feet 7 inches tall.

Tossed up outside off, Starc drives it off the inner half past mid on for a single.

Sprays it flat and down the leg stump line now, Mitchell Starc hangs back and the ball takes the feather of the front pad and it runs down to deep fine for two leg byes.

Continues to hold on to the fuller length, does Prabath, on the stumps, Beau Webster drives it inside out to cover-point for a single.

Pushed through, slightly behind the fuller length and outside off, Mitchell Starc punches it to covers for a single.

Too slow, at 78 kph, full and at off, Beau Webster waits for it to arrive and drives it down to long off for a comfortable single.

Full and looped up, on middle, Mitchell Starc clips it away wide of mid-wicket for a single.

Fuller and on off, Mitchell Starc gets a good stride out and drives it along the ground for a single at widish long off. Australia now lead by 132 runs!

Nice toss given, pitched on off, and full, kept out nicely by Starc.

Lands fuller and on off, Beau Webster sits down on his knee and sweeps it behind square to deep fine leg for a single.

Tighter line, around off on a good length, Beau Webster stabs it out off the back foot.

What has happened there? The umpires have summoned the physio to the middle. It is for a concussion check because the ball hit the helmet. Webster was not too fussed but the umpires did not want to take any chances. Because rules are rules. And they are meant to be followed. A few laughs going on between Webster and the physio and the batter looks fairly relaxed. Good time for some autograph signing as Dinesh Chandimal happily keeps the fans happy outside the boundary.

Very slow, full and around off, Beau Webster is too early to sweep it away and misses. The ball brushes Webster's right elbow and then pings right on the helmet.

Turns into off, on a length, Beau Webster hangs back and taps it back to the bowler.

Pitched right up, on off, Beau Webster drives it along the ground to long off for a single. Phew, quite an eventful over.

Nice and full, around off, blocked out.

An appeal for LBW and given this time around. However, it is now reviewed by Beau Webster! Plenty happening out there now! This is bowled a bit fuller and the line is sliding on the leg stump, Beau Webster leans forward and goes for a defensive push but misses as he plays all over it. Pings his front pad. UltraEdge shows nothing and the Ball Tracking confirms that the ball is sliding way down the leg stump line. An excellent review by Beau Webster.

Beautifully bowled! An appeal for LBW and not given! Prabath Jayasuriya and Dhananjaya de Silva have a word and DDS eventually decides to go upstairs and challenges the on-field decision! Prabath pitches it quite fuller and keeps the line of attack on the stumps, around middle and leg, Beau Webster gets forward and looks to flick it through the mid-wicket region, but misses as the grip takes the ball away from the batter. It hits the pad and lobs back to the first slip fielder. UltraEdge comes up and shows no bat involved and the Ball Tracking saves Webster as it is projected to bounce over the off pole. Sri Lanka have now lost all their reviews.

Pushed through, fuller and on off, Mitchell Starc drives it along the ground through cover for a single.

That in-between length on leg, Webster defends off the inside edge and the ball runs to the leg side for a single.

Tossed up on the stumps, Starc takes a huge stride ahead and defends. A wicket maiden for Nishan Peiris. His bowling figures read 29-3-92-3 so far.

Full and outside off, Starc mistimes it straight to mid on.

Tossed up on the stumps, Starc looks to play against the spin to the leg side but misses.

Chance gone? Probably, but those have to stick through! Bowls full and on the stumps, getting it to go straight with the arm, Mitchell Starc leans and pushes it straight, but the inside edge takes the ball flat and towards the short leg fielder, where it is parried away off the fingertips. Nissanka is the culprit. Starc comes halfway down the track for the single but is sent back.

Nice and full, on the stumps, defended out by Starc.

Into the bowlers now. Mitchell Starc is the first one up at number 9, replacing the debutant Cooper Connolly.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND CAUGHT! Not a pleasing debut for Cooper Connolly and Sri Lanka keep chipping away with quick wickets now as they have reduced Australia from 350/3 to 384/7. Nishan Peiris provides a good amount of flight on the ball and lands it fuller around off, getting that gentle away turn as well. Cooper Connolly premeditates and tries to stay attacking. Comes down the track and swings hard, against the line of the ball. Ends up getting a leading edge that flies straight down the throat of Ramesh Mendis stationed at backward point. Cooper Connolly departs for 4 (6) with Australia leading by 127.

Full, outside off, Connolly goes for the sweep but misses and is hit on the pads. The Lankans appeal for LBW but the impact is well outside off. The ball rolls towards point and the batters take a leg bye.

TOP EDGE, FOUR! Is that a catching opportunity missed? Full, outside off, coming in with the angle, Cooper Connolly goes for the big sweep but the extra bounce induces a top edge. The ball sails in the air towards deep square leg and one thinks that Dimuth Karunaratne misjudges it. He comes running in but then realizes that the breeze is taking the ball away. Has to adjust and holds himself back. The ball then lands away from him and spins away to the fence to his left. First runs for the debutant and proud parents are happy in the stands.

Oh dear, tentative is this kid. Just his third ball and he has been beaten all three times. First, the ball beat the outside edge. Next, the ball missed the bat as he tried to sweep. And now, he is beaten in flight as he jumps out to defend, somehow getting an inside edge onto his pads.

Too full, around off, Beau Webster digs it out towards cover. The fielder, Ramesh Mendis makes a fumble there and meanwhile, the batter runs off for a quick single.

Nagging length, around off, Webster defends it again back to the bowler.

Drops it short, around off and middle, Beau Webster presses back and pushes it back to the bowler.

When in doubt, sweep. This is the policy of batters from outside Asia. Connolly tries just that, almost like a paddle and misses. The ball goes off his body to the slip cordon. Too early to play this shot.

What a first ball to get in Test cricket for the debutant! Flighted, outside off, Cooper Connolly comes forward to defend but the ball pitches and then zips away, turning past the outside edge!

Around off, Beau Webster reaches out, takes this on the full and reverse sweeps it behind point for a single.

Floated up, around off, Webster defends it towards cover.

FOUR! TOP EDGE! Flighted full, around middle, Beau Webster goes on his knee and looks to sweep it but instead gets a top edge as the ball flies over the head of the keeper and goes behind the wickets. Ramesh Mendis runs into his right from deep fine leg and makes a full stretched dive but can't save the boundary.

Tossed up, around off, Beau Webster comes forward and blocks it off.

Debutant time. In walks Cooper Connolly at number 8, replacing Alex Carey. The umpires are not happy with something. The fourth umpire comes out. Not quite sure what is the issue, but it seems to be a big one as an early DRINKS BREAK has been signalled. Okay. Apparently, they are unable to communicate with the third umpire and hence the halt in play. Excellent morning for Sri Lanka. The problem is, it has come after almost an entire day of slogging. They have finally found their right lines and lengths and more importantly, been consistent. All of a sudden, with the pitch looking like a pancake on Friday, has started to look a bit like a minefield on Saturday. The ball is spitting and plenty of puffs of dust are emanating. Difficult time for the debutant Connolly to walk out but this is what you play for - when you get thrown in the ring of fire. The Lankans will be hoping to run through these remaining batters by Lunch and keep the lead under 150. Right. The communication is back and we are ready to resume.

OUT! BOWLED! Ha ha, we are finally in Galle, aren't we? Three wickets in the first 50 minutes of Day 3 and the pitch has started to talk. Brilliant bowling this morning by Prabath Jayasuriya, claiming all the three dismissals. The line is pretty straight, from around the wicket, with the ball landing on a fuller length, on middle and the angle taking the ball away. Carey goes for one of his most favourite shots, the sweep, but for once, he misses the ball completely. It goes beneath the bat and hits the off stump. The head goes up towards the heavens for Carey on hearing the sound of timber. The Lankans are finding their voice back now as Australia have slipped from 350/3 to 373/6. The lead is 116. Magnificent knock of 156 from Carey.

FOUR! TONK! No stopping this one. Flighted, outside off, Alex Carey comes down the track and hammers it through mid off, well wide of Angelo Mathews to his left, for a boundary.

Great shot, terrific fielding. Excellent cricket all around. Flighted, outside off, Beau Webster comes down the track and drives it through the covers. It seems like he has got the gap but Nishan Peiris races across to his left from mid off and puts in a sprawling dive, to stop the ball. Keeps the batters to a single. Nice to see from Sri Lanka, after looking pretty flat on Friday. They realize that every run is important here. Trying their level best to keep the lead to as low as possible.

Flighted full, around middle, Beau Webster drops it down back to the bowler.

Inside Edge! Tossed up, around off, Beau Webster looks to defend it but he plays it away from the body and gets an inside edge as the ball goes nowhere. Could have been tighter for him if it had ballooned up.

Nagging length, around off, Beau Webster comes forward to defend but gets it through the inner half of the bat towards short fine leg.

Around off, Carey looks to sweep but misses due to the away turn and bounce.

Comes down the track to defend but is not to the pitch of the ball. Pushes hard and gets an outside edge through point for a single.

FOUR! Well, what can we say about this? Cricket or chess? Just before this ball, Dhananjaya de Silva moved Dinesh Chandimal from short mid-wicket to leg slip, and got Kamindu Mendis to switch from short extra cover to short mid-wicket. All these to stop Webster from playing the paddle. What is the response? The reverse sweep! Picks it up from middle, does the tall Webster and beats backward point to his right. The lead moves to 110.

Tossed up, around middle, almost a yorker, Beau Webster moves across a bit, goes on his knee and paddle sweeps it towards deep fine leg for a couple of runs.

BEATEN! Nagging length, on the fourth stump, Beau Webster brings his bat down to defend but misses the line and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Floated up, around off, Alex Carey lunges to defend with the full face of the bat but gets a thick outside edge towards short third and he runs off for a quick single.

The arm ball, outside off, pushed towards point. Consecutive maidens for Prabath Jayasuriya.

Much slower, 81 kph, outside off, pretty full, Webster drives again, this time towards cover, but hits Pathum Nissanka at silly point instead.

Floated, around off, 90 kph, Beau Webster comes forward and drives it towards silly point again.

Full again, on the fourth stump, Webster takes out his front leg forward and drops it down to cover.

Flighted full, around off, Beau Webster comes forward and blocks it back to the bowler.

Tossed up, around off, Beau Webster strides forward and defends it towards silly point.

Pitched full and on middle, Beau Webster sweeps it along the ground to deep square leg for a single to end the over.

An appeal but the umpire is unmoved. It was not for the inside edge but for LBW! This is pushed through and tossed up fuller in length, with some gentle turn into the batter. Beau Webster leans ahead to defend but plays over the line and the ball teases the inside edge to clip the front pad. Impact looked fairly outside off.

Full and on the stumps, Webster reverse sweeps it to short fine leg.

Around off, and slightly dragging the length a yard behind the fuller length, Alex Carey works it away to backward point for a single.

Again that identical length, but Carey works it out to short cover.

Very slow and very full on middle, Alex Carey carves it out back to the bowler.

Looking at matches elsewhere, Ireland have come back strongly in the one-off Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. After making 260 in their first dig, they restricted the hosts to 267, allowing a lead of only 7. Barry McCarthy stood out with 4 wickets while Andy McBrine picked up 3. For the home side, only debutant Nick Welch could sum up the conditions, making a fine 90 while towards the end, Blessing Muzarabani did well with his 47, ensuring that the visitors do not get any lead. In reply, Ireland have begun strongly, reaching 83/1 in 21 overs by Stumps on Day 2. Peter Moor played a quickfire knock before being dismissed for 30 (33), with Richard Ngarava dismissing him. This tour of Zimbabwe by Ireland consists of this one-off Test, 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is. Play resumes at 8 am GMT today.

Tosses it up nicely, full and on middle, knocked back to the bowler by Webster.

Slower and fuller on middle, Beau Webster drives it straight to mid off.

On middle and full, Webster leans forward and pushes it to the short cover region.

Gives some more flight on it, and keeps it on the stumps, Beau Webster drives this fuller ball to the cover region.

Full again, around off, worked to short cover.

Nice and full, on off, blocked out.

A stifled appeal for LBW, but not given! Slightly fuller than a good length on the stumps, Carey gets an inside edge on his front pad as he looks to defend.

Tossed up, full on off, eased out to the off side.

Full outside off, Carey drives to the off side, and Kamindu Mendis at covers stops it to his right with the dive.

Full on leg, blocked to the left of the bowler.

BEAUTY! How has that missed the off pole? Full and looped up, around off, with just a tinge of an away turn and some bounce on it. Alex Carey goes out for a defence but is flummoxed by the turn and bounce that beats his outside edge and goes scaringly over the stumps.

Peiris continues, full and on the stumps, Beau Webster eases it out to the point region and rotates the strike. It came more off the outer half of the bat.

Pushed through, full and on middle, Alex Carey defends it back to the bowler.

Tossed up, way too full and on the pads, Alex Carey paddles it along the ground to deep fine for a couple of more runs. 150 FOR ALEX CAREY! He raises his bat and acknowledges the appreciation from his teammates.

Prabath keeps the length fuller and gives a good loop on it, around off, Alex Carey leans forward and drives it into the covers.

Just stays a tad bit low, on a fuller length, on middle and leg, Beau Webster tucks it across wide of mid on for a quick single.

This one keeps sliding on with the angle, towards the pads, Beau Webster misses to get any bat on it and the ball rolls off the front pad to fine leg. The batters jog and take two leg byes.

Some turn! Full and gripping away from the batter around off, Beau Webster does well to keep it out.

This is now the highest score in a Test inning by ay Australian wicketkeeper batter in Asia. Carey goes past the previous record of 144 made by Adam Gilchrist, way back in 2004, in Kandy.

Nice and full, tossed up on middle, driven inside out to short cover.

Drifting into the stumps, fuller in length, Alex defends it straight.

Tossed up, fuller and around off, Alex Carey looks to paddle it away but hits it off the inner half of the bat and the ball lobs on to his chest.

Closer to the off-pole, full in length, Alex Carey lunges ahead and pushes it gently to the off side.

Around the stumps, with a slip in place, pushed through on off and full, Alex Carey leans on and defends it forward.