IN PICS: Starc puts Australia on the front foot

Sport360 staff 16:10 04/08/2016
Aussies take the initiative on day one

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.

Starc (5-44), who marked the day with his 100th Test wicket, denied first-match centurion Mendis his second consecutive ton after getting the in-form batsman caught behind for 86.

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon got the first wicket of the afternoon session after sending Perera (49) trudging back to the pavilion.

Earlier Mendis’ 137-ball stay was laced with 10 fours and two sixes as he entertained a lively home crowd at the Galle International Stadium.

Australia lost Joe Burns early on for nought before David Warner’s dismissal for 42 to brought an end to the day’s play with the visitors at 54/2, trailing by 227 runs.

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