Rain played a significant role in the third day of the first Test match between Australia and Sri Lanka, hampering the hosts' efforts to make a comeback. At the close of play, Sri Lanka found themselves at 107 for 5, still trailing by 518 runs after Australia declared at an imposing total of 654 for 6.
Sri Lanka resumed their innings on day three at 44 for 3, under pressure to improve their position. The team saw a brief partnership of 29 runs between Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis, which provided a glimmer of hope before the rain interrupted their momentum. Chandimal stood strong at the crease, remaining unbeaten on 63 runs as Sri Lanka reached 136 for 5 at lunch.
Despite the initial signs of recovery, weather conditions took a turn for the worse. After lunch, rain returned, ultimately leading to the umpires’ decision to abandon the day's play due to wet conditions. The rain ceased just before the scheduled close, but it was too late to salvage any further action on the field.
Australia's batting display had set a formidable target for Sri Lanka. Usman Khawaja led the Australian charge, scoring an impressive 232 runs, while Steve Smith contributed significantly with 141 runs. Josh Inglis also made his mark with a century, scoring 102 runs. These performances left Sri Lanka with a daunting task to overcome their substantial deficit.
Mitchell Starc showcased his bowling prowess, taking 2 wickets for just 13 runs, further complicating Sri Lanka's chances as they struggled to build partnerships against a strong Australian bowling attack.
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