Watch cricket video highlights of Australia tour of Sri Lanka 2025. First Test between Australia and Sri Lanka. Venue of the match will be Galle.
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Australia’s aggressive bowling attack found itself thwarted as the final two sessions of day three were canceled due to rain, providing Sri Lanka a break on a Galle pitch that was beginning to show its challenges. The day commenced with sunny weather, and 27 overs were played before rain unexpectedly poured down just before lunch. No further play occurred for the rest of the day, with stumps being called more than two hours early.
In reply to Australia’s imposing first-innings total of 654 for 6 declared, Sri Lanka ended the day at 136 for 5 with Dinesh Chandimal showing determination, remaining not out at 63. Kusal Mendis is also not out on 10. Australia is still well-positioned to secure a win in the first Test after dominating the first seven sessions of the match. However, the rainy weather has brought an element of suspense, giving Sri Lanka a chance to potentially salvage a draw. More rain is expected on Saturday, though clear skies are forecasted for the fifth day.
The pitch had remained fairly benign during the first two days, with sharp turn lessened by the slowness of the surface. However, it began to show signs of deterioration during the morning session, with noticeable cracks and the ball occasionally bouncing erratically. After a disappointing outing by the top-order, which saw three wickets fall within 10 overs late on day two, Sri Lanka resumed at 44 for 3, still needing 410 runs to avoid the follow-on.
Their prospect of making a dent in that target relied on Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis, who came into the match boasting an average of 74 from 10 Tests since his debut against Australia at this venue in 2022. In that game, Chandimal scored 206 not out during a significant Sri Lankan victory. They were faced with the seasoned duo of left-arm pace bowler Mitchell Starc and offspinner Nathan Lyon, who began in tandem after taking a wicket on the previous evening. Starc, wearing long sleeves, found some swing and contributed to the developing footmarks.
Initially, Leon had Chandimal in check, but after possibly studying Australia’s first-innings approach, Chandimal opted to attack Lyon, who had been a key player for Australia with little involvement in the pace-heavy home series against India. An intriguing contest unfolded as Lyon delivered from around the wicket, targeting the growing footmarks. Unfazed, Chandimal demonstrated aggression by employing the sweep shot effectively, striking boundaries off Lyon’s bowling.
His fortune continued on the next delivery when he edged the ball past the outstretched left hand of stand-in skipper Steven Smith at first slip, a difficult chance he has often taken in his career. Chandimal capped off the most fruitful over of the innings by reverse sweeping Lyon for another boundary. However, Sri Lanka’s promising start was disrupted when Kamindu succumbed cheaply for 15, falling to a leg-side delivery from Starc, leaving them at 67 for 4.
Despite being struck in the midriff by a shorter delivery from Starc, Chandimal remained composed while continuing to counter Lyon with his offensive strategy. Similar to Australia’s batsmen early in the match, Chandimal stepped down the pitch to successfully hit Lyon over cover. Chandimal formed a productive partnership with skipper Dhananjaya de Silva, indicating that there were still significant runs to be made on this pitch.
However, Sri Lanka’s innings was once again derailed by carelessness when de Silva was stumped by a considerable margin after charging at left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann, missing a short and wide ball. After removing opener Oshada Fernando, Kuhnemann maintained his impressive performance in his first Test match since the tour of India earlier in 2023. Chandimal achieved his fifty off 91 deliveries, and once again, Sri Lanka found solace in the sight of rain during this match.
