Sri Lanka v Australia, 1st Test, Day 2 – 5 Memorable Moments

The hosts, Sri Lanka are playing a catch-up game from the first innings and it has continued as Australia went on to take an 86-run lead in the first innings with Adam Voges (47) being the top-scorer in the match thus far.

Sri Lanka just started their innings, before the match was interrupted and later called off due to rain and they are at 6 for the loss of 1 wicket Kusal Perera back in the hut. With 3 days to play, the match will surely produce a result, if rain doesn’t play a much bigger part. Currently, Sri Lanka are trailing by 80 runs in their second innings with 9 wickets in hand.

1. Steve Smith misses it big time:

Australian skipper Steve Smith, who looked solid on Day 1 lost his cool early on Day 2 as he threw his wicket after adding just two runs to his overnight score.

Smith was the first one to go today as he danced down the track against Rangana Herath. He tried to smash the ball down the ground, but failed to get close to the line of the delivery and ended up giving an easy stumping chance to the wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal.

2. First wicket for Lakshan Sandakan:

The debutant left-arm Chinaman bowler had bowled really well in the match. Yes, he had given away some freebies, but that is something which comes in with the package having a wrist spinner in the side. Despite some low full tosses, he had attacked the batsmen for most part of his spell.

Sandakan dismissed Mitchell Marsh in the 46th over of the innings to claim his maiden Test wicket. It was the wrong-un which pitched and turned away a touch to clip the off-stump. Since it pitched on off, it carried on to hit the off and Marsh missed it by a substantial distance.

3. Flawed execution from Peter Nevil:

This was a huge opportunity for Peter Nevil to cement his position in the squad. But a rush of blood saw him throw his wicket away cheaply. The Australian wicketkeeper was dismissed after scoring just 2 runs.

Herath really set it up with a few good length and deliveries and then threw one right up to the bat on the full and the batsman tried to clear the mid-on fielder but only managed to loft the ball straight to the fielder.

4. Last ball on Day 2:

Kusal Perera, who batted at No.7 in the first innings was promoted up the order to open the innings with Kaushal Silva. But he failed to impress as he played across the line on the last ball of the day against Mitchell Starc and was trapped leg-before-wicket as he missed the ball completely.

5. Rain:

Rain is also contributing consistently into the match after it washed off the third session of play on Day 1 and Day 2. It seems like the match is going to have 2 session days. The Tea break was taken early as there was rain interruption.

However, the rain may help the hosts as the pitch might not offer much turn or bounce for at least the first session on Day 3. On the other hand, the rain might never allow the Sri Lankan batsmen to settle and will result in quick fall of wickets.