Day 3 which is also called the moving day of the Test match saw the bat dominating the ball at Galle. Loads of runs were scored at a good rate and only 6 wickets fell on a pitch that is still good for batting. At the end of it all, the match hangs in the balance with draw looking the likely result at this stage. Bangladesh folded for 495 with Asitha Fernando picking 4 wickets in the innings.
In reply, Sri Lanka started solidly and rode on a majestic knock from Pathum Nissanka and useful contributions from Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews and Kamindu Mendis which ensured that Sri Lanka ended the day at 368/4 in 93 overs now trailing by 127 runs with 6 first innings wickets in hand. The hosts have fought back well and the pitch has to deteriorate drastically in the last two days for the match to produce a result.
Sri Lanka began solidly after Bangladesh folded for 495 in the morning session
Bangladesh decided not to declare and continue to bat in order to get to the 500-run mark. They resumed at 484/9 with Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana at the crease. They added 11 more runs to their tally with Mahmud scoring 7 of them and 4 runs coming through byes. Asitha Fernando got the last wicket as he got rid of Nahid Rana caught down the leg side as Rana scored a duck. Asitha was the pick of the bowlers getting 4 wickets while Milan and Tharindu got 3 wickets each. Prabath did not get a wicket for the first time at Galle.
In reply, Sri Lanka got off to a positive start courtesy of their openers Pathum Nissanka and debutant Lahiru Udara. Udara was the aggressor of the two and that allowed Nissanka to play himself in at the crease. Udara played some glorious shots and put on 47 for the first wicket. But he was outfoxed by Taijul Islam for 29 off 34 balls.
Dinesh Chandimal walked in to join Nissanka at Number 3. Pathum Nissanka then decided to switch gears and became the aggressor while Chandimal played himself in and played to the merit of the ball. They added a further 71 runs to take the score to 100/1 in 27 overs. At this stage, Nissanka was batting on 46* off 83 balls while Chandimal was on 22* off 47 balls.
Pathum Nissanka’s ton headline the afternoon session
Pathum Nissanka and Dinesh Chandimal resumed after Lunch and looked in no trouble whatsoever. Nissanka turned it on even more and became more aggressive as the innings wore on. Dinesh Chandimal, on the other hand, played second fiddle but the scoreboard ticked along as was expected. Nissanka not only completed his fifty but switched gears to complete his third Test century.
Nissanka completed his century in 136 balls and was in no mood to give his wicket away. Dinesh Chandimal completed his fifty in 99 balls and looked set to get a big score. But against the run of play, Nayeem Hasan got rid of Chandimal for 54 off 119 balls with four boundaries to his name. Shadman Islam at leg slip took the catch inches from the ground. The partnership between Nissanka and Chandimal was worth 157 off 238 balls.
This meant that Angelo Mathews playing in his final Test match came out to the middle and received a guard of honour from the Bangladeshi players. Mathews came out and mixed caution with aggression really well and took on the bowling. It was a typical Mathews innings and he combined well with Nissanka. He quickly scored 21 off 30 balls while Nissanka was unbeaten on 126* off 179 balls. Sri Lanka scored 133 runs for the loss of one wicket in the afternoon session in 33 overs and went to Tea at 233/2 in 60 overs.
Pathum Nissanka falls short of double ton, Sri Lanka in dominant position
Pathum Nissanka and Angelo Mathews resumed for the final session with Mathews playing the first ball after Tea for a boundary. Nissanka continued his merry ways and soon completed his 150 for the first time in his career. Mathews and Nissanka were looking good to take the total even higher but once again against the run of play, Angelo Mathews fell to part-time bowler Mominul Haque caught behind for 39 off 69 balls laced with 3 fours and a six. The 89-run stand between the two was broken at this stage.
Kamindu Mendis joined Nissanka in the middle as batting looked easy at the Galle surface. Nissanka and Mendis added 38 for the fourth wicket. As the innings wore on, Nissanka became tired and started to lose concentration. Bangladesh took the second new ball after 85 overs and that did the trick for them. Hasan Mahmud bowling with the new cherry castled the off-stump as Pathum Nissanka fell for a magnificent 187 off 256 balls laced with 23 fours and a maximum. The score 331/4 at that stage.
In walked Dhananjaya de Silva the captain joining Kamindu Mendis at the crease. The duo made sure there were no further hiccups in the Sri Lankan innings today and have added an unbroken 37 runs off 45 balls. They played proper Test cricket and looked untroubled at the crease. When Stumps was called, Kamindu Mendis was batting on 37* off 56 balls while Dhananjaya de Silva was batting on 17* off 26 balls.
5 extras have been given by Bangladesh so far as Sri Lanka ended the day at 368/4 in 93 overs still trailing by 127 runs. For Bangladesh, a wicket apiece for Hasan Mahmud, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, and Mominul Haque. No wickets for Nahid Rana yet.
What Lies Ahead on Day 4
The moving day saw bat dominating the ball as Sri Lanka clawed their way back in the game and with the pitch not showing any signs of deterioration, draw seems to be a favourable result although we have seen in the sub-continent how Test matches has sped up and forced a result. Sri Lanka will aim to get close to the Bangladesh first innings if not pass it while Bangladesh will aim for taking early wickets tomorrow and try and get a first innings lead themselves. One feels there will be a fight for the first innings lead tomorrow.
Play will start 15 minutes early tomorrow as well to make up time lost on Day 2. We witnessed an uninterrupted day today and we hope the rain stays clear and we get a full day’s play on Day 4. An intriguing day awaits us all and it will be important as well. It will show where the Test match is heading from here. We cannot wait for Day 4 to commence.
Also Read: SL vs BAN: Sri Lanka Strike Late To Spark Hope; Bangladesh Reach 484/9