Australia on brink of series-loss after Herath claims hat-trick as 21 wickets fall on Day Two
Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath celebrates the wicket of Australia's Peter Nevill (not in pic) as Mitchell Marsh looks on during Day Two of the second Test at Galle yesterday. Pic/AFP
Galle: Sri Lanka took three late wickets as they tightened the screws on Australia in the second Test here yesterday after setting the tourists a daunting target of 413 to save the series.
Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath celebrates the wicket of Australia's Peter Nevill (not in pic) as Mitchell Marsh looks on during Day Two of the second Test at Galle yesterday. Pic/AFP
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At the end of an action-packed second day, which saw 21 wickets tumble and a hat-trick from Sri Lanka's Rangana Herath, Australia were 25 for three in their second innings — still 388 runs short of their target. David Warner was unbeaten on 22 while skipper Steve Smith will resume today on one as the tourists face an uphill struggle to avoid an embarrassing loss within three days at the Galle International Stadium.
Although Mitchell Starc took six wickets as Australia restricted Sri Lanka to 237 in their second innings, the tourists were effectively undone in the first session of the day when they were skittled out for 106. It was their lowest total in 28 Tests against Sri Lanka who are on a high after winning last week's first Test in Pallekele. Victory in Galle would ensure the Sri Lankans win the three-match series with a game to play.
Australia pacer Mitchell Starc acknowledges the crowd after claiming six wickets against SL
The 38-year-old Herath was the star performer after picking up only the second Test hat-trick by a Sri Lankan. Australia, who resumed at their overnight score of 54 for two, struggled throughout the morning session against both Herath and his fellow spin bowler Perera, the duo sharing eight wickets between them.
Off-spinner Perera bowled overnight batsman Usman Khawaja in his second over of the day before Herath took his first wicket by clean bowling the Australian skipper Steven Smith. But it was Herath's seventh over of the innings which proved decisive as he dismissed Adam Voges, Peter Nevill and Starc off consecutive deliveries to put Australia on the mat.
Only Mitchell Marsh, who was the last man out for 27, offered much resistance for the Australians during the morning's play.
Brief scores
Sri Lanka 281 & 237 (D Perera 64, A Mathews 47; M Starc 6-50, N Lyon 2-80) vs Australia 106 (D Warner 42; D Perera 4-29, R Herath 4-35) and 25-3 (D Warner 22*; R Herath 1-16)
Did you know?
Galle is where Rangana Herath made his Test debut against Australia. Yesterday, he became only the second Sri Lankan to bag a hat-trick at the venue of his 1999 Test debut
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