Australia’s quest for a commanding win in the first Test against Sri Lanka faced obstacles due to persistent rain and a resilient innings from Dinesh Chandimal. On day three in Galle, only 27 overs were possible before play was halted, leaving Sri Lanka at 5-136, trailing by 518 runs. Chandimal remained unbeaten on 63, with Kusal Mendis accompanying him on 10.
The day’s play commenced under clear skies, but Australia’s bowlers quickly made inroads. Mitchell Starc secured the first wicket of the day, dismissing Kamindu Mendis for 15 with a delivery that glanced off the batsman’s pads into the hands of wicketkeeper Alex Carey. Captain Dhananjaya de Silva followed, contributing 22 runs before being stumped by Carey off the bowling of left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann.
Chandimal offered resistance, notably striking Nathan Lyon for three consecutive boundaries in one over, showcasing his determination to anchor the innings. However, with rain interruptions and a challenging deficit, Sri Lanka faces a formidable task to avoid the follow-on. The weather forecast suggests more rain, potentially complicating Australia’s efforts to secure a timely victory.
Australia declared their first innings at a formidable 6-654, underscoring their dominant position in the match. As the Test progresses, both teams will be mindful of the weather conditions and the limited time remaining to achieve their respective objectives.
