Sri Lanka vs Australia 1st Test, Day 1 Highlights: Usman Khawaja Solid After Australia Bowl Out Sri Lanka For 212
SL vs AUS 1st Test, Day 1 Highlights: Australia were 98 for three before stumps were called on Day 1 of the ongoing first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.
SL vs AUS 1st Test, Day 1 Highlights: Australia were 98 for three before stumps were called on Day 1 of the ongoing first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. Usman Khawaja was batting unbeaten on 47 while Travis Head was not out on six as the visitors trail the hosts by 114 runs. This comes after Australia had lost the wickets of David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith. Earlier, Niroshan Dickwella hit a quickfire fifty before Australia bowled out Sri Lanka for 212 in the first innings. Nathan Lyon took his 20th five-wicket haul in Test cricket while leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson also bagged three wickets. Dickwella brought up his half-century in just 42 deliveries with the help of five boundaries. He and Ramesh Mendis put on a 50-plus partnership after Angelo Mathews fell for 39 to Nathan Lyon. After Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc struck in the first session on Day 1 of the first Test against Sri Lanka, it was the spinners' turn to shine in the second session as the hosts were reduced to 139/6. Pat Cummins removed Pathum Nissanka for 23, while Mitchell Starc accounted for the wicket of Kusal Mendis. Nathan Lyon then ended Dimuth Karunaratne's vigil for 28 before Mitchell Swepson struck with consecutive deliveries to send Dhananjaya de Silva and Dinesh Chandimal packing. Lyon then got the big wicket of Mathews. Australia, have opted for two spinners in Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Swepson. Travis Head is also an option for spin if Australia want to turn to him. Captain Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc make up the pace attack, with all-rounder Cameron Green also an option. (SCORECARD)
Sri Lanka XI:Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lasith Embuldeniya, Asitha Fernando
Australia XI:Â David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Swepson
Here are the highlights of Day 1 of the 1st Test between Sri Lanka and Australia straight from the Galle International Stadium
Sri Lanka Cricket Team
Australia Cricket Team
Jeffrey Vandersay
SL vs AUS, 1st Test, Day 1 Live
The Australian inning is all set to begin! 29 overs are left in the day and it will be interesting to see how both teams approach this phase of the game. Have to say, it can turn out to be quite a crucial passage of play. The Sri Lankan players now make their way out to the middle. David Warner and Usman Khawaja are the openers for Australia. Asitha Fernando has a brand new ball in his hand. Let's play...
... Second Innings ...
Sri Lanka though have a decent score on the board now. It may not look big on paper but taking into consideration the pitch and loads of spin bowling options that Sri Lanka have, it will not be an easy task for the Aussies. It will be a big test for Australia but they will take confidence from their batting success under similar conditions in Pakistan. Can they pass the trial by spin here? We shall find out soon. Stay tuned.
A quick wrap to the Lankan innings after Tea! Nathan Lyon broke the dangerous-looking partnership between Ramesh Mendis and Dickwella in his first over of the evening session. Dickwella too could not add much after the break and departed after playing a handy knock of 58 for his team. Lyon eventually finished with his 20th Test fifer while Swepson took three wickets and overall, Australia would be pretty happy with their bowling performance.
OUT! Vandersay holes out! Floated delivery, landing full around leg and spinning away, Jeffrey Vandersay sits down on one knee and tries to slog it across the line. It comes from the top half of his blade and it's a simple catch for Mitchell Starc at deep mid-wicket. Sri Lanka are all out for 212.
Skidding down, from around leg, Jeffrey Vandersay tries to flick but misses.
Quicker and shorter on off, Vandersay punches from the back foot to covers.
Again it's short and around off, turning away, Jeffrey Vandersay steps back and then tries to reach out for his square cut but misses.
FOUR! Useful runs for Sri Lanka! Short delivery, around middle, Jeffrey Vandersay stands back and reverse-pulls it past the diving point fielder for a boundary.
Fuller and around off, driven back to the bowler.