GALLE: SriLanka top-order batter Kusal Mendis and skipper Dimuth Karunaratne scripted an astounding reply from the home side with brilliant half-centuries before Prabath Jayasuriya restricted Australia to 364 by finishing with the second-best figures by a Sri Lankan on Test debut.
Resuming at an overnight score of 298/5, Australia could only manage to add 66 runs on the second day despite their overnight centurion Steve Smith’s unbeaten knock of 145.
Smith, who ended his century drought with a magnificent 104* on the opening day, added 41 of them as the tailenders had no answer to the strong bowling display by the hosts. He remained unbeaten with a magnificent 145 off 272 deliveries, laced with 16 boundaries.
For Sri Lanka, Jayasuriya led the way on his debut with six wickets, while Kasun Rajitha bagged two. Ramesh Mendis and Maheesh Theekshana, on the other hand, made one scalp each.
The hosts were off to a poor start in response to Australia’s 364 as they lost their opener Pathum Nissanka cheaply at a combined score of 12. The right-handed batter scored a mere six off 25 deliveries.
Following the early disaster, Sri Lanka’s dynamic duo of Mendis and Karunaratne bolstered their side to a commanding position with an astonishing 152 runs partnership for the second time.
The pair appeared solid and were looking to carry their way till the stumps but Mitchell Swepson had other plans as he trapped the skipper Karunaratne in his legs in the 55th over. He remained the top-scorer for his side with 86 off 165 balls, laced with 10 boundaries.
Mendis then joined hands with the veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews and put on an unbeaten 20-run partnership to keep the second Test evenly poised as Sri Lanka finished at 184/2.
Wicketkeeper batter Mendis scored an unbeaten 84 off 152 balls with the help of nine boundaries, while Mathews scored six.
For Australia, Mitchell Starc and Swepson made one scalp each.
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