Sri Lanka’s innings steadied under the guidance of Dinesh Chandimal and Dimuth Karunaratne, who fought through an early setback to ensure their side was in a strong position at 87/1 at Lunch on the opening day of the Test against Australia in Galle.
Captain Dhananjaya de Silva opted to bat first after winning the toss, looking to avoid the top-order collapse that had plagued Sri Lanka in their previous match. However, the decision got off to a rocky start when Pathum Nissanka, replacing Oshada Fernando, was dismissed cheaply.
Nissanka was the first to go, dismissed by Nathan Lyon in the 8th over. Attempting a sweep shot against the off-spinner, he missed, and Lyon rearranged the stumps, leaving Sri Lanka at 23/1.
Chandimal and Karunaratne Dig In
From there, it was the experienced pair of Chandimal and Karunaratne who dug in to provide a steadying influence. Karunaratne, playing his 100th and final Test, was calm at the crease and offered a perfect foil for the more aggressive Chandimal. The two players were solid in their defense, with Chandimal using his feet well against the spinners to maintain control over the scoring.
Their unbroken stand of 64 runs ensured that Sri Lanka entered the Lunch break at 87/1, with both batters still at the crease—Chandimal on 35 and Karunaratne on 34**.
The Wicket Conditions and Australia’s Bowling Approach
The pitch at Galle, already showing visible cracks, prompted Australia to open the bowling with left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann. However, it was Nathan Lyon who made the breakthrough early in the innings. Steve Smith, Australia’s captain, opted to bring Lyon into the attack early, a move that paid dividends when he dismissed Nissanka.
Despite the early breakthrough, Karunaratne and Chandimal responded with resilience, keeping Australia at bay through the middle overs.
Looking Ahead
Sri Lanka will be hoping to build on their current position and avoid the collapse that derailed their previous outing. The strong foundation laid by Chandimal and Karunaratne leaves Sri Lanka in a good place as they look to build a sizeable first-innings total.
Brief Scores:
Sri Lanka 87/1 (Dinesh Chandimal 35*, Dimuth Karunaratne 34*; Nathan Lyon 1-19) vs Australia