First Test between Sri Lanka and Australia: Nathan Lyon shines as Australia thrash Sri Lanka in three days
Australia won the first Test against Sri Lanka handily on Friday, before noon on the third day. Nathan Lyon shone with a match tally of nine wickets.
As Australia defeated Sri Lanka handily to win the first Test on Friday before noon, spinner Nathan Lyon shone with a match haul of nine wickets. The Australians secured a 10-wicket triumph in their first over back at the crease in Galle after the hosts were bowled out for 113 in their second innings. Travis Head and fellow spinner Nathan Lyon both claimed four wickets to help bowl out Sri Lanka for 212 in the first innings, sending the hosts fleeing before the morning was over.
It was a significant win for Australia, having lost to Sri Lanka 3-0 during their previous tour in 2016.
Before the game started, Sri Lanka took a hit when Angelo Mathews was replaced by Oshada Fernando after being forced to withdraw owing to Covid-19.
The captain Dimuth Karunaratne got the game off to a fast start. Striking four boundaries in Mitchell Starc’s opening over, which saw 17 runs scored.
Nathan Lyon and fellow spinner Mitchell Swepson quickly grabbed control, however, and the situation quickly changed.
After just 20 balls, Nathan Lyon had the captain Karunaratne caught behind for 23 while Swepson had Pathum Nissanka lbw for 14.
The leg-spinner then caught Oshada in the 12th over, dropping Sri Lanka to 63-4.
As Sri Lanka’s batsmen desperately attempted to hit their way out of difficulties, wickets kept falling.
Left-handed batsman Head, who also occasionally bowls off-spin, claimed Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya de Silva in his first over.
With a four and a six off Ramesh Mendis secured the victory in four balls. Swashbuckling opener David Warner made the formalities simple.
Asitha Fernando, a quick bowler, claimed Australia’s final two first-inning wickets earlier in the day as the visitors added eight wickets to their overnight total of 313, giving them a commanding lead of 109.
Usman Khawaja (71) and Cameron Green (77) were the standout batsmen for Australia in their first innings performance.
Jeffrey Vandersay made his debut and got two wickets, while Ramesh Mendis claimed four.
After terrible weather cut short play on Thursday and severe winds caused a spectator stand to collapse, the third day got underway early.
On July 8, the second and final Test will start there.
Top Best online betting sites in India
SATBET
MYWIN11
SATSPORT
SKY EXCHANGE
SSEXCH
SAT EXCHANGE
