Twitter Reactions: Travis Head and Labuschagne help Australia gain decisive advantage over Sri Lanka

Australia continued to tighten the grip on the second day of the opening Test against Sri Lanka at The Gabba. Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head were the heroes for the home side as half-centuries from the duo helped them take a huge lead of 179 runs in the first innings. The visitors, on the other hand, got off to a poor start again in their second essay as they lost Dimuth Karunaratne on the last ball of the day.

They ended the day on 17/1 after six overs thanks to Pat Cummins who has been relentless with the ball this summer. Sri Lanka now need a miracle to get out of the hole they’ve dug for themselves and the match might get over on the third day itself if the first innings collapse happens again.

Labuschagne and Head shine for Australia

Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka got off to a dream start. Marcus Harris threw away yet another start in the very first over. Soon the nightwatchman Nathan Lyon was also sent back. Four down early, the tourists sensed a comeback. But Head and Labuschagne stitched a 166-run partnership for the fifth wicket to bat the opposition out of the game. Both of them got to their half-centuries and looked good to notch up their maiden tons.

However, Suranga Lakmal had other ideas. He led the Lankan comeback by nipping out Head first and then got the Aussie skipper Tim Paine off the very next ball. In the meantime, Dilruwan Perera picked Labuschagne to keep the Australian batsmen away from the three-figure mark. Head scored 84 while Labuschagne got out for 81 as the hosts still wait for a century this summer.

From 272/5, they were bundled out for 323 even as Lakmal registered a brilliant five-wicket haul. But the damage had been already done with 179-run lead. Sri Lanka will need to remind their second innings heroics in New Zealand and someone has to bat like Angelo Mathews now. They have talent in their line-up but is very inconsistent and Australia will love to skittle them out as early as possible.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Well bowled Suranga Lakmal bowled his heart out and was great to watch the way he moved that ball around. How good is @KusalMendis1 in the slips !!

— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) January 25, 2019

Day /night test cricket ✔️

— Ed Cowan (@eddiecowan) January 25, 2019

Two great catches in slips… diving forward and taking it millimeters above the ground is one of the hardest skills #AUSvSL

— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) January 25, 2019

My point is that he was there first.. if the selectors didn’t want him … then why wouldn’t they have Jhye and Chris 12th & 13th for the Indian Series? Don’t forget Mohammad Abbas went through us and he bowled 125kph… https://t.co/5CbAmVaPS4

— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) January 25, 2019

#FairPlay to Travis Head. He's slowly making me a believer. Unlucky not to get a ton #AUSvSL

— they call me bruce (@Pluvva_D) January 25, 2019

Travis Head is making sure that he'll be difficult to push out of the side once the banned duo of Warner and Smith make a comeback. #BrisbaneTest #AusvsSL

— Muhammad Qasim (@Qasimiftikh) January 25, 2019

That’s an outstanding score by Australia 179 run lead. I can hardly believe all the negative fuss from one former player. Enjoy the great effort by Travis Head. Australia will win this test match in 3 days;3 days. How is that a problem. Be positive and happy.

— Dan Paine Stapleton (@Dan_Stapo) January 25, 2019

Guarantees in life:
Death
Taxes
Travis Head scoring 30+ but not 100

— Josh (@joshpera) January 25, 2019

Marcus Harris and Travis Head just throw it away like the job is done at 50.. #AUSvSL

— Umair (@imumair10) January 25, 2019

Whoa. Travis Head robbed there. Ball tracking is, as I have always said, horse crap….#AUSvSL

— Sunil Awasthi (@sa9321) January 25, 2019

Great call, finally, by Aussie selectors to nominate Pat Cummins & Travis Head vice-captains. Along with Tim Paine, a new leadership team, an eye to the future. I’m a supporter of Steve Smith but the road back to captaincy could be long and rocky. #AUSvSL

— LukeBazMortimer (@LukeBazMort) January 25, 2019

Honestly no idea how Travis head scores runs, flakier than a gummy shark at the fish and chip shop #gobbies

— Nic Bortolotto (@NicBortolotto) January 25, 2019

Ya know what, this Travis Head has got a bit of true Aussie Grit #headonshoulders

— regginald (@jonessimon46) January 25, 2019

Travis Head has to be the most consistent Australian test batsman since his debut.

— Abhishek (@Sajjanlaunda) January 25, 2019

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