Australian pacer Mitchell Starc toiled hard against Sri Lanka’s top order on Thursday to leave bowl out the hosts for 281 on the opening day of the second Test in Galle.
Sri Lanka were looking confident after Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera’s 108-run stand, but their departure after lunch saw the hosts in some trouble.
Skipper Angelo Mathews’ knock of 54 then ensured Sri Lanka stay in the hunt after electing to bat first on a bright sunny day. But the lower order failed to put up a fight.