Beau Webster shines as Sri Lanka struggles in a dramatic finish on Day Three. Discover the highlights and analysis of this thrilling cricket match.
Introduction:
Late on day three Sri Lanka’s hopes to set a competitive chase disappeared as Beau Webster’s crucial contributions both with the ball and in the field helped Australia tighten their grip on the second Test. With just two wickets remaining and a slender lead of 54 runs, Sri Lanka is now fighting against an uphill battle to avoid defeat in the series.
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All-around Impact by Beau Websterr Turns the Tide
However, in the last session of the day, it was a close thing with Sri Lanka making some amends at the tail-end as Angelo Mathews and Kusal Mendis gave their best shots with an adventurous 70-run partnership as their efforts somewhat revitalized hopes, crossing their lead by 40 runs. But, with less than 30 minutes to go before stumps, Mathews, who had batted with great determination, lost his concentration on 76 and attempted a sweep off Nathan Lyon only to see Webster complete a brilliant diving catch at fine leg.
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Stand-in skipper Steven Smith continued his streak of inspired captaincy by tossing the ball to Webster, not for his seam bowling but his off spin. The move immediately started paying dividends when Webster sent back Ramesh Mendis for a duck. Sri Lanka could hardly cope thereafter as Webster was soon almost sent back the other way as Prabath Jayasuriya was almost bowled out in the next over. Wherein Mendis narrowly got saved from a tight lbw call against Lyon, Australia ended the day on a high by completing the day with victory when Matthew Kuhnemann, who was given the last over, dismissed Jayasuriya and thus enabled Sri Lanka to close the day on a shaky note.
Early Woes of Sri Lanka’s Batting Line-up
Sri Lanka were staring into an early defeat when their second innings commenced. They were in deep trouble at 39 for 3, trailing by 157 runs. Lyon continued his dominance, claiming his 550th Test wicket by removing Dinesh Chandimal for 12. The experienced Dimuth Karunaratne, playing his farewell Test, was caught behind off Kuhnemann for 14, bringing an emotional end to his illustrious 100-Test career. Despite applause from both teammates and opposition, he was the first casualty for Sri Lanka in the end.
Pathum Nissanka was the first to fall, bowled by Kuhnemann with a delivery that skidded on. Chandimal, who had played vital knocks earlier in the series, needed to anchor Sri Lanka’s innings but instead perished attempting an expansive shot, caught by Webster at mid-off. See also:Â Fastest Test Hat-Trick: Ireland Defeats Zimbabwe
Mathews and Mendis Offer Resistance
Still, Mathews and Kamindu Mendis were trying to stabilize the innings with a gritty 42-run partnership. Both batsmen were given reprieves when missed chances behind the stumps came Alex Carey’s way. Kamindu, who had been averaging over 70 coming into this series, failed to convert his start and fell cheaply, chipping Lyon to mid-off. Skipper Dhananjaya de Silva then walked in with Mathews, but added 47 valuable runs, when a wonderful one-handed catch from Smith at slip sent him off Kuhnemann’s bowling and shifted momentum back to the Australians.
With Sri Lanka still behind, Mendis went for a counterattack and released a series of aggressive strokes. He equalized the scores with a massive slog-sweep off Lyon, and then a boundary that briefly put Sri Lanka in front. Just when their best batting phase of the match started, Mathews’ untimely dismissal stalled their progress and set up a challenging final day.
Sri Lanka’s bowling effort falls short
Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka’s bowlers had given them a glimmer of hope as they wrapped up Australia’s first innings at 414. Prabath Jayasuriya, who was so ordinary in the opening Test, seemed to get going with the second new ball when he claimed five wickets during the morning session. He dismissed Smith for 131 after that great partnership of 259 runs between Smith and Carey ended magnificently. The stand was the highest fourth-wicket partnership by a visiting pair in Sri Lanka, surpassing Michael Hussey and Shaun Marsh’s 258-run effort in 2011.
With Australia resuming at 330 for 3, intent on pushing the lead well beyond what was amassed during the day, Carey continued his sublime batting to better his highest first-class score 143 and also surpass Adam Gilchrist’s 144 for the highest score by an Australian wicketkeeper in Asia. Once Jayasuriya penetrated Smith’s defence with a delivery that spun sharply off the surface, Sri Lanka seized the moment.
Josh Inglis, promoted down the order due to back spasms, was clean bowled on the second ball. Carey’s innings ended at 156 when he finally misjudged a sweep shot, missing the ball completely as Jayasuriya sent his stumps flying.
Connolly’s Brief but Entertaining Stay
All eyes were on debutant Cooper Connolly, who has the promise of aggressive stroke play. He had dominated domestic cricket and announced himself with a top-edged sweep for four but fell in an overly ambitious attempt to attack Nishan Peiris, slicing the ball to backward point. Despite his short stay, Connolly’s confidence at the crease was evident and hints at a bright future.
Webster, however, turned out to be the stabilizing force in the lower order, scoring 31 valuable runs before he was dismissed. Contributions with the bat, ball, and in the field secured the team through the day’s play, heading into the fourth day.
What is Next?
With only two Sri Lankan wickets to go and a lead of just 54 runs, Australia is likely to complete the match quickly on day four. Though Mendis remains undefeated with 48, a miraculous comeback for Sri Lanka becomes a very unlikely prospect. Unless some remarkable resistance comes from the tail-enders, Australia seems almost certain to secure a well-deserved series win.