Australia's off-spinner Nathan Lyon celebrated a remarkable milestone by surpassing 550 Test wickets during the ongoing second Test against Sri Lanka. As the match unfolded at Galle, Australia demonstrated their dominance by starting the third day with a solid 330-3. This strong position was cemented by Alex Carey's impressive knock of 156 runs and Steve Smith's commendable 131. Despite Prabath Jayasuriya's valiant effort, claiming 5-151 wickets for the hosts, Australia secured a formidable first-innings lead of 157 runs.
Sri Lanka faced a challenging start to their second innings, trailing significantly. The hosts were struggling at 39-3, with Kusal Mendis providing some stability at 48 not out. Nevertheless, Sri Lanka managed to edge ahead, leading by 54 runs at the close of play. Angelo Mathews emerged as Sri Lanka's main resistance, scoring a resilient 76 runs amidst a difficult situation.
Matthew Kuhnemann played a crucial role in Australia's bowling attack, dismissing both Sri Lankan openers early in their innings. His performance further compounded Sri Lanka's woes as they struggled to counter the Australian onslaught. Additionally, this match marked a significant moment for Dimuth Karunaratne, who took to the crease for his final Test innings.
Australia currently holds a 1-0 series lead, putting immense pressure on Sri Lanka. The visitors' commanding position in this Test underscores their prowess and strategic superiority on the field. As the game progresses, all eyes remain on how Sri Lanka will navigate their way through Australia's formidable bowling lineup.
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