Galle: Australia seized control on the second day of the second test match, reaching 330 for 3 in response to Sri Lanka’s 257 all out. The visitors, led by unbeaten centuries from skipper Steve Smith and wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey, now lead by 73 runs, thanks to their formidable 239-run partnership for the fourth wicket at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.

According to Sri Lanka Cricket, Sri Lanka added 28 runs to their overnight score of 229 for 9, with Kusal Mendis continuing his resilient innings. Mendis, who carried his bat, scored 85 runs off 139 balls, including 10 boundaries and a six. Australia wrapped up the Sri Lankan innings by dismissing Lahiru Kumara for 7, with Matthew Kuhnemann claiming the final wicket, caught by Beau Webster.

Sri Lanka’s bowlers initially made significant inroads, reducing Australia to 32 for 1 in the seventh over and subsequently 37 for 2 when Nishan Peiris dismissed Travis Head, caught by skipper Dhananjaya de Silva for 21. Prabath Jayasuriya then trapped Marn
us Labuschagne leg before wicket for 4.

The Lankan attack continued to challenge the tourists, reducing them to 91 for 3 as Peiris claimed his second wicket by dismissing Usman Khawaja leg before wicket for 36. Khawaja’s innings included three boundaries from 57 balls.

However, the hosts could not capitalize further as Australian captain Steve Smith and Alex Carey took charge. Smith blunted the Sri Lankan spin attack in his 234-ball innings, hitting 9 boundaries and a six. Carey was more aggressive, scoring 139 off 156 balls with 13 boundaries and 2 sixes, as they took the game away from Sri Lanka with their unbroken partnership.

By stumps, Australia was firmly in command, poised for a substantial first-innings lead with three days of play remaining. Smith and Carey remained in control, with seven wickets still in hand.

Peiris ended the day with respectable figures of 2 wickets for 70 runs from 21 overs. Jayasuriya, however, was more expensive, conceding 107 runs for his one wicket off 25 overs. Ramesh Me
ndis went wicketless, giving away 70 runs from 19 overs, while the sole pace bowler Lahiru Kumara delivered 7 overs for 37 runs. Captain Dhananjaya de Silva, sharing the new ball, bowled 5 overs for 18 runs without success.