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The struggles of Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium on Day 3 of the 1st Test continued with the home side pushed further to a corner by a determined effort from Australia with the ball. However, the rain interrupted play as the match progressed, enforcing an early Tea and stumps soon after. At the end of the day’s play, Sri Lanka’s hopes to come somewhere near Australia’s 1st innin♒gs mammoth total remained alive with 136 runs on the board for the loss of 5 wickets. The home side are still behind Australia by 518 runs.
Resilience from Dinesh Chandimal keeps Sri Lanka afloat
Sri Lanka started the day as star batter Kamindu Mendis threw his wicket away on a full-length ball pitched outside leg by Mitchell Starc. Mendis, in an attempt to flick the ball, gave an easy catch to Alex Carey behind the stumps and💜 further ad𝓰ded concerns in the Sri Lankan camp.
However, all was not lost for the home side. Top-order batter Dinesh Chandimal somehow managed to continue amidst a relentless onslaught from Australian bowlers. His brave half-century kept Sri Lanka in contention to save the Test as the scenario of the Sri Lankan innings changed from 67/4 upon Mendis’s dismissal to 107/5 at the time of skipper Dhananjaya De Silva’s departure.
The counter-attack from Chandimal continued with wicket-keeper batter Kusal Mendis on the other end supporting him. Before the rain interruption, Chandimal scored an unbeaten 63 runs off 115 balls to add some crucial runs to Sri Lanka’s total. Ku💙sal withheld the visitors from the other end with 10 runs off 25 balls at the end of day’s play. The responsibility to first avoid a follow-on and next to come somewhere near the Australian batters now rests upon Chandimal and the lower-order batters.
Positive signs for Australia
Although Australia could only manage to take 2 wickets throughout the day’s play which was shrouded with an untimely rain interruption, a number of positives popped-up for the Aussies. The most important one in this regard was the return of opening batter Usman Khawaja back into the field who could not appear for his team on the outfield due to a diꦿscomfort following an emphatic 232-run knock he played in the 1st innings.
Next, Australia managed to break the crucial 40-run partnership between Chandimal and De Silva. With that, Australian spinner Matthew Kuhnemann and Starc have taken 2 Sri Lank🐼an wickets each, further showcasing the firm grip Australia have in this Tesℱt match.
Also Watch: Travis Head’s sensational on𒁃e-handed grab left Angelo Mathews stunned on Day 2 of the Galle Test
Here’s how Twitter reacted
Rain is good when it saves the game… righ👍t, Sri Lanka? 😉
— MUHAMMAD SAMI (@mrsalaar96)
Kuhnemann should be given more chances Australia found a proper left arm bowler which they were lacking he looks more threatening t🌠han Agar
— Santosh vk 18 (@VK18foreverrr)
I am afraid the dark clouds and the rain are back at Galle! The sunshi🍰ne seems to have been banished from our presence.
— Roshan Abeysinghe (@RoshanCricket)
England women getting hammered by Australia.
Sri Lanka men getting hammered by Australia.
Aussies…give me something to cling onto please.
— Kieran Theivaman🌊oharan 🏴 🇱🇰 (@KiersTheivam)
A decent Galle sprinkle
— Ben Cameron (@BenCameron4)
That McSweeney drop will be costly. Just like when Sri🌱Lanka dropped Khawaja 100 times.
— Coach lukas (@lukeR15sky)
Dhananjaya de silva just don't understand this guy he comes plays some next lvl asthetic shots literally you he like you can watch him for life and then he plays some reckless shot and throws it away 🤦♂️
— 🆁🅾🅻🅴🆇ᶜʳⁱᶜᵏᵉᵗᵍᵉᵉᵏ (@RoshanSriram123)
Looks like Kamindu Mendis's honeymoon period in test cricket is over.
— Prayagg (@Pag1401)
After the rain, there's a significant amount of water at Galle International Cricket Stadium.
— DANUSHKA ARAVINDA (@DanuskaAravinda)
It's early stumps on day 3 in Galle due to rain 🌧️
– Sri Lanka: 136/5, trail by 518 runs
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)