Mitchell Starc took six wickets Friday as Australia bowled Sri Lanka out for 237 in their second innings of the second Test, leaving the visitors with a daunting target of 413 as they seek to save the series.
Starc led Australia’s fightback in Galle after they had earlier been bowled for a record low of 106, thanks in part to a hat-trick from Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath.
It was the Australia’s lowest total in 28 Tests against Sri Lanka and came in response to a first innings total of 281 by the hosts.
Paceman Starc took six for 50 but the Sri Lankans were still able to set a formidable target as they look to clinch the three-match series with a game to spare after their victory in the first Test at Pallekele.
Dilruwan Perera top-scored for Sri Lanka with 64 and he received good support from his skipper Angelo Mathews who followed up his half-century in the first innings with 47.
Starc’s overall match figures of 11-54 were not only his personal best in 27 Tests but also the best by an Australian bowler in Sri Lanka.
Brief scores:
Sri Lanka 281 and 237 all out in 59.3 overs (Angelo Mathews 47, Dilruwan Perera 64; Mitchell Starc 6-50, Nathan Lyon 2-80)
Australia 106 all out in 33.2 overs (David Warner 42, Mitchell Marsh 27; Rangana Herath 4-35, Dilruwan Perera 4-29)
-Agencies
