Sri Lanka finished with what appeared a competitive first innings total after Kusal Mendis and No. 11 Kumara added 28 runs in the first 30 minutes of the day's play. Mendis was left stranded on 85 but he should be well pleased having spearheaded Sri Lanka's recovery from 150 for 6.

GALLE: Kusal Mendis was left stranded on 85 as Australia wrapped up Sri Lanka’s first innings for 257 early on

The second morning of the final Test between Sri Lanka and Australia witnessed an even session in Galle. Resuming at 229/9, Sri Lanka were able to muster 28 more runs with Kusal Mendis (85*) doing the heavy-lifting along with last man Lahiru Kumara who did his part by hanging around.

After receiving a long guard of honour on his way to the crease, including from the Australians, Karunaratne combined well with Dinesh Chandimal in an unbroken 64-run stand as Sri Lanka reached lunch well placed at 87 for 1.

(Reuters) – Australia's Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon claimed three wickets apiece but Kusal Mendis' battling half-century salvaged a difficult day one for Sri Lanka as they reached 229-9 in the second Test in Galle on Thursday. Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva won the toss and elected to bat.

Sri Lanka's batting coach Thilina Kandamby thinks that Kamindu's 2024 excellence may have covered up failures elsewhere in the batting order

Kusal Mendis was left stranded on 85 as Australia wrapped up Sri Lanka's first innings for 257 early on day two of the second test in Galle on Friday.