Australia Takes Firm Control on Day 2 in Galle
A remarkable 239-run unbeaten partnership between Steve Smith (120) and Alex Carey (139)** has put Australia in a dominant position on the second day of the final Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. Their exceptional batting effort not only ensured Australia gained the upper hand but also secured a crucial first-innings lead of 73 runs on a surface expected to deteriorate as the match progresses.
Smith and Carey Lead Australia’s Charge
Carey’s Aggression and Smith’s Composure Keep Sri Lanka at Bay
Much like the afternoon session, the final session of Day 2 belonged entirely to Smith and Carey. Both batters reached their respective centuries in a clinical display of skill and patience. For Smith, this was his second century of the series, further cementing his stature as Australia’s leading run-scorer in Asia, surpassing the legendary Ricky Ponting.
Smith looked fluent and composed, skillfully using his footwork and crease depth to counter Sri Lanka’s spinners. While there was some turn on offer, the softening ball reduced the threat, making stroke play relatively easier. However, Sri Lanka’s bowlers failed to maintain consistency, which further aided the Australian duo.
In contrast, Carey took a more aggressive approach from the moment he stepped in at No.5, a promotion he earned due to Josh Inglis being unavailable to bat after spending significant time off the field. The left-hander took full advantage of the opportunity, scoring at a brisk rate, and eventually outpacing Smith with his dominant stroke play.
Sri Lanka Struggles to Break the Partnership
Sri Lanka’s bowling attack lacked penetration, as only one review was taken across 55 overs, indicating their struggle to create wicket-taking opportunities. Australia’s scoring rate remained healthy, consistently exceeding four runs per over, while the Smith-Carey partnership maintained a 4.34 run rate, adding further pressure on the hosts.
The day had initially started with Sri Lanka showing promise, thanks to a crucial 85-run knock by Kusal Mendis, which helped them reach a respectable 257 in their first innings. When Australia began their innings, Travis Head (10) and Marnus Labuschagne (5) fell early to the new-ball bowlers, momentarily putting the visitors in trouble.
However, Smith first stabilized the innings alongside Usman Khawaja (36) in a 54-run partnership, before forming the unbroken 239-run stand with Carey that has put Australia firmly in the driver’s seat.
Sri Lanka’s First-Innings Fightback Falls Short
Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka’s innings revolved around a strong knock by Kusal Mendis (85)* and Dinesh Chandimal’s resilient 74. Despite their efforts, Mitchell Starc (3-37) and Matthew Kuhnemann (3-63) kept Sri Lanka in check, preventing them from crossing the 300-run mark.
While their bowlers managed to remove Australia’s top order early, they failed to capitalize on the early breakthroughs, allowing Smith and Carey to dictate the game.
What to Expect on Day 3?
With Australia leading by 73 runs and Smith and Carey still at the crease, the visitors will aim to extend their lead significantly to put further pressure on Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will need an early breakthrough in the morning session to prevent Australia from running away with the game.
The pitch in Galle is expected to deteriorate, making batting in the fourth innings a challenging task. Given the circumstances, Australia is well on track to dictate the remainder of the match.
Brief Scores:
Sri Lanka 257 (Kusal Mendis 85, Dinesh Chandimal 74; Mitchell Starc 3-37, Matthew Kuhnemann 3-63) trail Australia 330-3 (Alex Carey 139, Steve Smith 120*; Nishan Peiris 2-70) by 73 runs.**
With twin centuries from Steve Smith and Alex Carey, Australia has taken full control of the final Test against Sri Lanka. Their unbeaten 239-run stand has put them in a commanding position with a 73-run lead, making it tough for Sri Lanka to mount a comeback. Day 3 will be crucial, as Australia looks to extend their advantage further while Sri Lanka hopes for early breakthroughs to stay in the contest.
For more insights on Australia’s performance in the series, check out our detailed match analysis.
Read more about the official match updates on ICC’s website.
