Lunch Sri Lanka 7 for 215 (Dilrwaun 10*) trail 5 for 534 by 319 runs
Sri Lanka succumbed to both spin and fearsome short-pitched barrage from Australia’s quicks on the third morning, losing four wickets, while another batsman had to retire hurt. Breaching speeds of 150kph, Mitchell Starc delivered the most intimidating bowling of the series so far, dismissing both Dhananjaya de Silva and Dimuth Karunaratne in the same over. It was Jhye Richardson, however, who hit Kusal Perera flush in the helmet, forcing him to retire hurt in the next over, when he began to feel the delayed effects of the blow.
With Nathan Lyon and Marnus Labuschagne also taking a wicket apiece as lunch approached, Sri Lanka’s position in the game deteriorated from poor to dire. If Kusal does not bat again – and there is a chance he won’t as he will first undergo a concussion test – Sri Lanka are down to their tailenders. It seems unlikely that Australia will enforce the follow-on, as they have already bowled 67 overs, and it is a hot day in Canberra, but they are positioned to take a giant lead into the second innings.
Sri Lanka had begun the day smartly, with Dhananjaya and Kusal hitting early boundaries, as the Australia quicks first employed a plan of bowling fuller, perhaps in the hopes of gleaning some morning movement. Even through this period, though, Sri Lanka did have trouble with Australia’s occasional bouncers. Pat Cummins – who had felled Dimuth Karunaratne on day two – struck Dhananjaya in the helmet in the second over of the day. Kusal also sustained a blow on the glove, as he attempted to fend a bouncer away.
More to follow
Source: ESPN Crickinfo