Sri Lanka vs Australia, 2nd Test Day 2, Live Score Updates

Welcome back. A much-needed break for Sri Lanka. As per Russel Arnold on air, pitches in Galle behave in this fashion always. They are slow on Day 1, then tend to get quicker on Days 2 and 3 and then slow down suddenly over the last 2 days. Australia will hope that is the case, because if the pitch stays the way it is, there are runs on offer here. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will hope that the indifferent bounce creeps up and they run through the middle order.

... DAY 2, FINAL SESSION ...

30 overs left in the day. Perhaps today could be the day where we would not need the extra half hour. If Sri Lanka get a good session, this will become a one-inning shootout with a lead of any margin being a vital one. If Australia get a good session, then one feels that the game and series could slip away from the home side. If it is a balanced session, well, we can stay on the fence and enjoy some riveting action! The final session will begin at 9.30 am GMT.

Can Kumara do a Starc? Let's take our minds back to the third session on Day 1. The Lankans were going very well through that partnership between Kusal and Ramesh Mendis. Smith then got Starc back on for a spell and he found eons of reverse swing. He got two wickets in two balls and enforced another collapse. The second new ball is still 30 overs away, so the Lankans will be hoping for Kumara to replicate what Starc did on Thursday. All the same, with the sun beating down even harder, they will hope for the pitch to throw up some surprises and assist them in enforcing a collapse.

An outing like any other day in the office for Smith. He has just come in there, got a pitch which is deteriorating but has not invoked the entire army of demons yet. The skipper started his innings a bit rashly, going hard after the bowling but since Lunch has been very determined. He has found a good partner in Carey, who continues to improve his credentials as a good keeper batter. He has been strong against spin, both of the front and the back foot. The duo has raised their partnership to 106 and will be very happy with its returns in the afternoon.

Cannot fault Sri Lanka much in that session. They tried to be as clinical as possible, trying to be on the nagging line and length but have just not been able to stop the singles. Australia have been very particular on rotating the strike and have not let any bowler settle too longer against one particular batter. The Lankans got one wicket in this session and that was with a semi-new ball, which skid through to beat Khawaja on the pull. But once the ball has gotten older and softer, there has not been much purchase and the batters have found it pretty easy.

Smith is storming off the ground in his own space, possibly wanting to get into the shed as quickly as possible. With around 10 metres near the ropes, he suddenly seems to realize that he was batting with a partner and turns back to check out on Alex Carey who is a good 40 yards behind. Gives a thumbs up to him to indicate what he thinks about the partnership. 112 runs in 29 overs in this session, for the loss of Usman Khawaja. Fair enough to say, it has belonged to Australia.

Overpitched outside off, Smith drives it towards short cover. TEA ON DAY 2, AUSTRALIA ARE 197/3, TRAILING SRI LANKA BY 60.

Full, around off, 81 kph, Steven lunges to block.

Change of angle. Prabath Jayasuriya shifts to around the wicket.

More flight, outside leg, Smudge pads it away again.

Flighted, outside leg again, the skipper pads it away once more.

Landed outside leg, Smith pads it away.

FOUR! THWACK! A rank long hop, down the leg side, 83 kph, Steven Smith gets back in a trice and hammers a pull, to the left of leg slip and into the yawning acres of space behind, to the fine leg fence.

Possibly the last over before Tea.

Shorter than full, on middle, Carey works it through mid-wicket for a couple, to move to 49.

100-RUN STAND IS UP! Tossed up, outside off, the skipper leans and drives it towards long off for a run.

Full, around off, Smith brings out the reverse sweep now, getting it through point. Lahiru Kumara is at deep backward point and by the time he can get to the ball, the batters take a couple.

Very full, way outside off, 81 kph, Steven Smith drives it towards short cover.

Short leg coming in. Pathum Nissanka gets under the lid. In fact, it is a leg gully.