Twitter Reactions: Matthew Kuhnemann, Nathan Lyon put Australia on brink of Sri Lanka whitewash

Spinners ruled the roost on a day where batters found it tough to get going.

By Rathnam Nayak

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Twitter Reactions- Matthew Kuhnemann, Nathan Lyon put Australia on brink of Sri Lanka whitewash
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Twitter Reactions- Matthew Kuhnemann, Nathan Lyon put Australia on brink of Sri Lanka whitewash (Source: Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images)

Resuming on an overnight score of 330/3, Australia (AUS) started with stand-in captain Steve Smith and Alex Carey in the middle in the ongoing final Test of the series. The pair would have expected to pile on more misery on a Sri Lankan bowling unit which looked listless on Day 2. Smith started the day with a boundary off the fifth delivery of the day.

However, it was Prabhat Jayasuriya's double-wicket over which stifled Australia. Josh Inglis, who was coming on the back of a maiden ton in his debut Test, lasted only a couple of deliveries after Smith was dismissed on 131. Alex Carey was Jayasuriya's fourth victim. The final three Australian wickets in a matter of 18 deliveries, which also included debutant Cooper Connolly. The lunch was taken after the visitors were bowled out for 414. 

In the second innings, Sri Lanka (SL) opener Pathum Nissanka drove Mitchell Starc for a couple of boundaries to kickstart Sri Lanka's second innings on a positive note. However, he could not survive the third delivery of Matthew Kuhnemann's first over; only to have his timber disturbed. Kuhnemann struck once again to have Dimuth Karunaratne caught behind, marking an end to an illustrious 100-Test career.

After Kamindu Mendis chipped his 35th delivery to mid-off off the bowling of Nathan Lyon, it seemed as if yet another collapse was on the cards. However, no more wickets fell before Tea was called. Travis Head had already bowled nine overs by that stage. The third session started quite well for the hosts, at least in the initial few overs.

Veteran Angelo Mathews brought up his first half-century after seven Test innings without getting past the 50-run mark via a wonderful stroke over the wide long-off. A 70-run stand for the sixth wicket was broken by Lyon with a great catch from Beau Webster. The very next over, Webster struck with off-spin. Kuhnemann induced a nick to slip to dismiss Jayasuriya in the final over of the day to leave Kusal Mendis unbeaten on a 50-ball 48. Sri Lanka lead by 54 runs, however, their batting has reached their tail.

Also Read- SL vs AUS 2025: Nathan Lyon completes 550 Test wickets

Meanwhile, here's how the fans reacted to Day 3 of second SL vs AUS Test: 

 

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Sri Lanka vs Australia 2025AustraliaSri LankaNathan LyonMatthew Kuhnemann