Galle, Jul 11 (IANS): An unbeaten 118 from Dinesh Chandimal and half-centuries from Angelo Mathews (52) and Kamindu Mendis (61) propelled Sri Lanka to take a crucial 67-run lead in the second Test against Australia at the Galle International Stadium on Sunday.
At stumps, Sri Lanka ended day three's play at 431/6 in 149 overs, making it a day thoroughly dominated by the hosts.
Sri Lanka may have lost Kusal Mendis early in day three, trapped lbw by off-spinner Nathan Lyon. But that did not deter the hosts' veteran batters, Mathews and Chandimal frustrated the visiting bowlers and confidently notched up an 83-run partnership.
Chandimal was refreshing in his counter-attack against Lyon, hitting him for a four and six off successive deliveries. When Chandimal was on eleven, he had a huge reprieve when Alex Carey missed a tough stumping chance off Lyon. Australia then burnt their remaining reviews in the space of nine balls as Sri Lanka owned the first session.
Post lunch, left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc got rid of Mathews and had Chandimal caught behind for 30 in his next over. But with no reviews left with Australia, they were unable to challenge the on-field verdict as ultra-edge showed a big inside edge.
Chandimal then brought up his 22nd Test fifty by sweeping through fine leg and despite a brief delay with tea being forced early due to rain, Sri Lanka continued to gain control of the match. Chandimal converted that fifty into his 13th Test hundred, also helping Sri Lanka get into the lead.
He also built a 133-run lead with Mendis as Australia struggled to get a breakthrough. As soon as final session came, Australia got some wickets as Mendis tried to go for a wild slog, but was castled by Lyon. Three overs later, Niroshan Dickwella went for a big shot off Lyon and was caught at mid-on. Chandimal and Ramesh Mendis ensured that Sri Lanka didn't lose another wicket till stumps arrived.
Brief Scores: Australia 364 in 110 overs (Steve Smith 145 not out; Prabath Jayasuriya 6-118) trail Sri Lanka 431/6 in 149 overs (Dinesh Chandimal 118 not out, Dimuth Karunaratne 86; Mitchell Starc 2-47, Mitchell Swepson 2-90) by 67 runs