Australia in commanding position in 2nd test against SL

Speed Post News Network

Patna : Sri Lanka were 17/0 in their second innings at stumps on day 3 of the 2nd test against Australia at Manuka Oval, Canberra, Australia, on February 3, 2019, still needing 499 runs to win the match with two days of play left. Sri Lanka are chasing a target of 516 runs.

Earlier, Australia declared their second innings at 196/3 in 47 overs with Usman Khawaja scoring an unbeaten 101 in 136 balls with 14 fours, his 8th test century, and Travis Head scoring an unbeaten 59 in 95 balls with 8 fours. Openers Marcus Harris and Joe Burns were out for 14 and 9 runs respectively while Marnus Labuschagne fell to Kasun Rajitha for 4.

Sri Lanka had scored 215/9 in their first innings with opener Dumuth Karunaratne being the top scorer with 59 with 7 fours while captain Dinesh Chandimal fell to spinner Nathan Lyon for 15. Opener Lahiru Thirimanne also fell to Lyon for 41 with 5 fours. Kusal Perera retired hurt after scoring 29 with 5 fours while wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella fell to Labuschagne for 25. Dhananjaya de Silva fell to Mitchell Starc for 25. For Australia, fast bowler Mitchell Starc took 5/54 in 13.3 overs while Nathan Lyon took 2/70. Pat Cummins took 1/32.

Australia had declared their first innings at 534/5 with opener Joe Burns scoring 180, Tavis Head 161, and Kurtis Patterson an unbeaten 114.