Australia (AUS), which resumed the last Test of the series with an overnight total of 330/3, opened with Alex Carey in the middle and stand-in skipper Steve Smith. In Day 2, the Sri Lankan bowling squad appeared listless, so the two would have anticipated to add to their misery. Smith’s fifth delivery of the day set the tone for the day.
But it was Prabhat Jayasuriya’s double-wicket over that put Australia on the defensive. Following Smith’s dismissal on 131, Josh Inglis, who was off a maiden tonne in his first Test match, was out after just a few deliveries. Alex Carey was the fourth victim of Jayasuriya. the final three Australian wickets, including Cooper Connolly, who made his debut, in only eighteen deliveries. After they were bowled out for 414, the visitors were given lunch.
Sri Lanka (SL) got off to a good start in the second innings when opener Pathum Nissanka ran Mitchell Starc for a couple of boundaries. The third delivery of Matthew Kuhnemann’s opening over, however, was too much for him to withstand, and his timber was upset. The remarkable 100-Test career of Dimuth Karunaratne came to an end when Kuhnemann struck again, catching him behind.
Kamindu Mendis appeared to be headed for yet another collapse after chipping his 35th delivery to mid-off off Nathan Lyon’s bowling. Before tea was called, though, no more wickets were lost. By then, Travis Head had bowled nine overs already. At least in the first few overs of the third session, the hosts got off to a good start.
Angelo Mathews, a veteran, reached his first half-century with a brilliant knock over the wide long-off after seven Test innings without surpassing the 50-run threshold. Lyon ended a 70-run partnership for the sixth wicket with a brilliant catch by Beau Webster. Webster hit with off-spin his very next over. Kusal Mendis was undefeated on a 50-ball 48 when Kuhnemann caused Jayasuriya to slide in the day’s last over. Although Sri Lanka has a 54-run advantage, their batting has run out of steam.
Meanwhile, here’s how the fans reacted to Day 3 of second Sri Lanka vs Australia Test:
An iconic career reaches its final chapter 🙌
Take a bow, Dimuth Karunaratne 🫡#SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/xtKoOXK7fQ
— ICC (@ICC) February 8, 2025
THANK YOU DIMUTH KARUNARATNE FOR ALL THE MEMORIES🫡#SLvAUS #PakistanCricket #NZvsPAK#CriticsChoiceAwards#亀梨和也pic.twitter.com/5OlyYYLeua
— ‘ (@viratk0hL1) February 8, 2025
Congratulations on a fantastic Test career, Dimma! ⭐️
We’ve all enjoyed your gritty innings, played with such calmness and composure.
Sri Lanka Cricket is grateful for your invaluable service.👏
Wishing you the best for the future @IamDimuth ❤️🫂— Lasith Malinga (@malinga_ninety9) February 8, 2025
Cricket is the winner has become a dull cliche over the years but cricket really was the winner in the moment as the entire Australian team halted their celebration & gave Dimuth Karunaratne a much-deserved ovation as he walked off the field one final time in Test cricket #SLvAus pic.twitter.com/uhb6mHv7Mk
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) February 8, 2025
One of the great Test knocks by an Aussie in the sub continent comes to an end.
Alex Carey blockbuster 156 👏 #SLvAus pic.twitter.com/FlfIwrrKbE— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) February 8, 2025
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