Sri Lanka vs Australia: Veteran Nathan Lyon derails Sri Lanka to 212 as visitors Australia on top after Day 1

The visitors Australia completely dominated the Day 1 of the first Test match being played between Sri Lanka and Australia at the Galle International Stadium, Galle on June 29 (Wednesday). Veteran spinner Nathan Lyon was the star for the visitors as he grabbed a five-wicket haul and completely bamboozled the home team’s batting line-up.

Sri Lanka after winning the toss decided to have a bat first. The home team openers including Pathum Nissanka (23 runs) and Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne (28 runs) gave a decent start to the team but Australia skipper Pat Cummins provided the first breakthrough for his side as he found the edge of Nissanka’s bat which was safely pouched by the wicket-keeper Alex Carey.

Hero of the ODI series, batter Kusal Mendis looked edgy during his stay at the crease and his misery was finally ended by ace pacer Mitchell Starc. Mendis could only manage to score three runs in 15 balls. After the fall of Mendis, veteran batter Angelo Mathews joined the skipper as they both went on to take Sri Lanka’s total past the 70-run mark.

Lyon and Mitchell Swepson shared eight wickets between them

With Mathews and Karunaratne looking comfortable at the crease, Lyon scalped the prized wicket of the captain with the team score reading 74/3. After the fall of Karunaratne, the spin duo of Lyon and Swepson completely took apart the Sri Lanka batting line-up. While Lyon the wickets of Mathews (39 runs), Niroshan Dickwella (58 runs), Ramesh Mendis (22 runs), and Lasith Embuldeniya (6 runs), Swepson also took some crucial wickets of Dhananjaya de Silva (14 runs), Dinesh Chandimal (0 runs), and Jeffrey Vandersay (6 runs).

In reply, Australia openers Usman Khawaja and David Warner (25 runs) gave a decent start to the team. But Sri Lanka has also shipped away with some vital wickets of Warner, Steve Smith (six runs), and Marnus Labuschagne (13 runs). Khawaja is still at the crease after reaching 47 runs, Travis Head (6*) will accompany him at the start of Day 2 with Australia being 98/3 after the end of Day 1.

Meanwhile here are some Twitter reactions:

Everyone went up for LBW.. David Warner kept his eye on the prize and took an absolute ripper! #SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/f7cdguPs39

— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) June 29, 2022

A wonderful gesture from Sri Lankan Cricket ❤️ #SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/P2skM7y0xe

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) June 29, 2022

They just played Cold Chisel's Cheap Wine and a Three Day Growth at Galle. This, of course, reminds me of the school friend who thought the lyrics were actually Cheap Wine and a Three-Legged Goat. I haven't been able to sing the real lyrics since. #SLvAUS

— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) June 29, 2022

A range of emotions from Steve Smith as he walks back and none of them are of any kind of endearment towards Usman Khawaja. Fortunately, Australia have two team buses. Don’t expect the two to be in the same one tonight #SLvAus pic.twitter.com/5TzruZsUMd

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) June 29, 2022

So Travis Head has recovered sufficiently to play in the first Test. Great for him but part of me is a little disappointed not to see Maxwell in the side, simply cos it’s always fascinating when he’s (rarely) there. #SLvAUS

— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) June 29, 2022

Cricket brought me here from #India 🇮🇳 #lka #SriLanka #Cricket #SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/dBmvf0BMIB

— RJ Saksi™ (Media Professional) (@saksivarnan) June 29, 2022

Nice Garry!

Another five-wicket haul from the prolific Nathan Lyon capped a top day from our boys over in Galle. SL all out for 212 and we're currently 3-98 in reply 👊 #SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/pl077LrIyx

— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) June 29, 2022

#SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/EYS0cVRkth

— Linga Raja (@Iplteamstrolls) June 29, 2022