SL v AUS, 1st Test, Day 3 Review: Kusal Mendis century shifts momentum towards Sri Lanka

Published - 28 Jul 2016, 17:06 IST | Updated - 28 Jul 2016, 17:06 IST

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On a pitch where none of the batsmen from either of the side scored a 50 plus score, 21-year-old Kusal Mendis struck a delightful unbeaten knock of 169 runs to steer Sri Lankan into a commanding position before bad light stopped play on day three. Until yesterday, the game remained slightly tilted towards the visitors’ side. However, things gradually fell in the hosts’ way as the young right-hander accumulated runs with complete ease batting throughout the day.

The Lankans ended the previous day pretty badly after they lost Kusal Perera off the second ball of the 2nd over before rains brought the end of the day. Resuming on 6/1, the proceeding did start well today as well. Starc continued his unfinished over and snapped Karunaratne off just the third delivery of the new day. Things got worse after Kaushal Silva and skipper Angelo Mathews departed for cheap scores.

The ‘left arm-right arm’ combination of O’Keefe and Nathan Lyon were made to bowl in tandem shortly after the initial burst of fast bowling from Starc and Josh Hazlewood. Both spinners found the rhythm quickly and built pressure around the Sri Lankans. Both Silva and Mathews were unable to loosen up and eventually ended up getting out. Silva was the first to go after getting trapped LBW off O’Keefe while Mathews was caught at short leg off Lyon.

But, fortunately, things at the other end looked bright and sunny just like the weather as the Mendis slowly kept thriving and ticking the scoreboard with singles and regular hits to the fence.

After the fall of Mathews, the 21-year-old found a more meaningful support in Dinesh Chandimal. The pair put up a potentially match-winning partnership of 117 runs for the 5th wicket and grinded the Australians for 31 overs under the sun and humidity. Despite the duo getting comfortable in the middle, skipper Smith didn’t change his game plan and stuck to his spinners,and continuing with Lyon-O’Keefe pair till lunch. However, Post lunch, he switched to ‘spin from one end and pace from the other end tactic’ with a hope of breaking the stand.

Mendis, who went back to the break on 85, quickly reached his maiden century in style with a five overs into the tea session. Both continued brilliantly until Chandimal gave away his wicket to Mitchell Marsh. He departed just three runs short of his half-century.

But, there were no signs of Sri Lankans tumbling down yet as Dhanajaya de Silva then forged with Silva and added another 71 runs for the 6th wicket before the former became Lyon’s 200th Test scalp. Shortly after the fall of the 6th wicket, bad light soon with finishing with 282/6 on the board.

The game is now poised perfectly in Sri Lanka’s favour considering the lead of 196 runs and a potent spin bowling attack they have to defend whatever runs the immovable looking Mendis and the tail-enders manage to add in the following day.