SL vs AUS 2nd Test Day 1 Highlights for Australia tour of Sri Lanka 2025

Australia enters the 2nd test of the 2-test series against Sri Lanka with a 1-0 lead over them. The second test at the Galle International Stadium started with Sri Lanka winning the toss and choosing to bat first. Here are the SL vs AUS 2nd Test Day 1 Highlights for Australia tour of Sri Lanka 2025.

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Starc and Lyon dominate 1st Innings

The Galle pitch, which was expected to favor spin, did not quite deliver as anticipated, but Sri Lanka’s batting showed it still posed significant challenges. Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka finished day one at 229/9, although they could have been in a stronger position without two collapses.

Australia’s strong bowling, especially after lunch, started Sri Lanka’s collapse, while Mitchell Starc nearly claimed a hat-trick at the close of play. The dry surface made it tough for new batters, highlighting the importance of setting batters contributing significant scores. Despite four Sri Lankan batters crossing 25, none could reach 75, underscoring Australia’s effective bowling and fielding.

Key performances included Nathan Lyon 3/78 and Mitchell Starc 3/37, Starc’s reverse swing proved crucial. Starc’s second spell, in particular, resulted in Sri Lanka losing three wickets for just 9 runs. Meanwhile, the introduction of Ramesh Mendis, replacing leg-spinner Vandersay, helped stabilize the lower order, with Mendis and Kusal Mendis forming a vital partnership.

Australia’s bowling strategies and Sri Lanka’s batting failures led to a dramatic result after a solid start before lunch. Lyon’s wickets, Kuhnemann’s accuracy, and Starc’s reverse swing dominated the second session, with the hosts losing four wickets for 34 runs. Despite Dimuth Karunaratne’s milestone 100th Test, Sri Lanka struggled to maintain momentum, and Australia finished the day with just one wicket in hand. Australia remains dominant in the series as well as the WTC Standings.

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