The third day of the second and closing Check match between Sri Lanka and Australia was marked by developments which turned out to be consequential for the end result of the thrilling 5-day contest between the 2 nations. Because the match entered its most enjoyable part, Sri Lanka had been on their option to develop a formidable partnership however the dwelling facet collapsed through the dying moments to saturate no matter momentum they’d constructed through the day.
Australia bowled out with a formidable lead
The day began off because the heroes of Day 2 for Australia, Steve Smith and Alex Carey had been nonetheless on the crease and appeared set to steer their workforce to a grand 1st innings complete. Nonetheless, the pitch had further assist for the spinners resulting from which the spin duo of Prabath Jayasuriya and Nishan Peiris proved detrimental to the Australian innings.
Jayasuriya specifically emerged as a bone of rivalry for the guests as he picked up two set batters adopted by one other dismissal within the type of Josh Inglis. Peiris however removed Cooper Connolly as Sri Lankan wrapped up the tailenders rapidly to bowl out the guests on 414 runs of their 1st innings with a lead of 157 runs in place.
Angelo Mathhews and Kusal Mendis tried to avert the collapse however failed
With a formidable lead and the duty of enjoying amidst the relentless spin onslaught from seasoned Australian spinners like Nathan Lyon, Sri Lanka had a mammoth activity to avert the innings from getting derailed and set a aggressive goal towards the Aussies to avoid wasting the Check match. Nonetheless, Sri Lankan top-order succumbed fully to Australian bowlers and gave their wickets away to the spin duo of Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann who struck for the guests at essential junctures to place Australia in a commanding place.
The 2 bowlers dismantled the Sri Lankan batting order with Kuhnemann eliminating openers Patthum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne whereas Lyon getting higher off Dinesh Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis. At a time when it appeared too straightforward for the Australians a partnership developed between Angelo Matthews and Kusal Mendis so as to add some essential runs to the Sri Lanka’s complete and saturate Australia’s 1st innings however a rash shot from Matthews marked one other key second within the day because it vaporized no matter momentum the house facet had constructed.
On the finish of the day’s play, Sri Lanka had been struggling on 211/8 with a slender lead of simply 54 runs. Kusal continues to be on the crease for Sri Lanka with Kuhnemann taking Jayasuriya’s wicket on the final ball of the day. Kuhnemann and Lyon had a stellar day for Australia as they managed to take 4 and three wickets respectively.
Additionally Watch: Prabath Jayasuriya bowls a jaffa to dismiss Josh Inglis for a duck on Day 3 of the second Check
Right here’s how Twitter reacted
NATHAN LYON
Line size and his management is just excellent! 🔥#SLvsAUS
— 𝐉 𝐄 𝐑 𝐎 𝐌 𝐄 👽 (@cosmik_shiT) February 8, 2025
Someday Beau Webster will take 20 catches in a Check match. #SLvsAUS
— Paul Dennett (@PaulDennett_) February 8, 2025
#SLvsAUS
One other defeat for Lankans?
They should play until tomorrow lunch to keep away from a defeat.
We have to construct an entire totally different workforce for check matches. @OfficialSLC has to go across the nation and discover the most effective defensive gamers who use their brains whereas enjoying. @Sanath07— Asitha Kalinga 🇱🇰 (@akalinga) February 8, 2025
Ohhhh myyyyyyy smithhhhhh #SLvsAUS pic.twitter.com/koMaf4X3RI
— Coach lukas (@lukeR15sky) February 8, 2025
Mathews ought to be so pissed off to have thrown it away was enjoying so effectively and was set for a magical knock. Now Australia gonna seal this sport with ease #SLvsAUS
— 🆁🅾🅻🅴🆇ᶜʳⁱᶜᵏᵉᵗᵍᵉᵉᵏ (@RoshanSriram123) February 8, 2025
From Heino to Kuhnamatata to Heineken, the Aussie slip cordon goes via a whole repertoire as they hold arising nicknames for Matt Kuhnemann #SLvAus
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) February 8, 2025
All the time excited to observe when Lyono bats within the subcontinent v Spin
It’s a sweepfest 🧹 #Sweepologist#SLvAus— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) February 8, 2025
https://x.com/blissyu2/standing/1888194346954166300
The final 3 wickets that fell spoiled Sri Lanka’s good day.#SLvsAUS pic.twitter.com/qEAMwAYXop
— Rohit Baliyan (@rohit_balyan) February 8, 2025
One other day, one other screamer from Steve Smith 😱pic.twitter.com/8Z1aPxUzrk
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 8, 2025
One other masterclass from Smith, stored altering the bowlers effectively and Australia are on the cusp of a victory now#SLvAUS #SLvsAUS
— 🔁 (@Tutterdotcom) February 8, 2025