The rain had the last say at Galle as the afternoon & evening sessions were washed out due to inclement weather. Sri Lanka’s score at the end of Day 2 was 44-3 and they were in a precarious position put in by Australia‘s bowling attack. Sri Lanka’s score at the end of Day 3 is 136-5 and they still are a whooping 518 runs behind which looks quite improbable.
Mitchell Starc sets the tone for Australia in morning session
Skipper Steven Smith introduced Starc from one end. The left arm speedster was bowling impeccable lines & lengths and troubled Kamindu Mendis & Dinesh Chandimal. In the 21st over, Starc bowled a widish delivery to the leg side and Kamindu wanted to flick it but got an edge and gifted his wicket to the keeper Alex Carey. It won’t be wrong to say that Aussies got a bonus wicket and at that time the score was 67-4.
Dinesh Chandimal showed nerves of steel and when Nathan Lyon came into the attack he wasn’t afraid of playing reverse sweep shots. Dinesh Chandimal along with skipper Dhananjay de Silva took the attack against the opposition. The Aussie spinners had to toil a lot in the morning session. Steven Smith was marshalling his troops and used all the tricks in the book.
Matthew Kuhnemann was at the receiving end. In the 33rd over, Kuhnemann went around the wicket and enticed Dhanajay to step out and play a lofted shot by bowling a flighted delivery and he fell in that trap and was stumped. Dhananjay had to go back to the pavilion after scoring 22 runs in 34 balls and had struck 3 fours. Sri Lanka’s score was 107-5 in 32.3 overs.
Dinesh Chandimal & Kusal Mendis started rebuilding the innings. Dinesh Chandimal was seen fighting a lone battle with an unbeaten score of 63 runs in 115 balls. Nathan Lyon & Matthew Kuhnemann bowled in tandem which created a lot of pressure on Sri Lankan batters. The rain arrived just before the end of morning session as Sri Lanka’s score was 136-5 in 42 overs.
What lies ahead on Day 4 for Sri Lanka & Australia
The weather at Galle on Day 4, 1st February isn’t promising at all. Sri Lanka would aiming to bat as long as they can and frustrate Australian bowlers. Dinesh Chandimal has a chance to notch a magnificent huge ton which not only will help Sri Lanka but will also keep him in good stead in red ball format. Sri Lanka very well knows that they can only draw the game or suffer a massive defeat in this Test match.
Australia needs to quickly get rid of the last 5 wickets on Day 4 and hope that rain again doesn’t play the spoil sport. The wicket-keeper Alex Carey was seen quite encouraging the spinners as he often advises Smith for a change in close in fielder position. Australia need 15 wickets to win the Test match, they have 2 days and 6 sessions to win the match. One dramatic session where Aussies take 4-6 wickets then only they will be in a strong position. Aussie fans would be saying Rain to go away as Muralidaran-Warne Trophy is at stake with Aussies the current holders.