Sri Lanka finished the opening day of the second Test against Australia at 229/9, with Kusal Mendis leading a lone battle, remaining unbeaten on 59*.
After winning the toss, Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva opted to bat first. Dimuth Karunaratne, playing his final Test, opened the innings alongside Pathum Nissanka. However, Nissanka fell early for 11 to Nathan Lyon.
Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal built a steady 70-run partnership before Lyon struck again, dismissing Karunaratne for 36. Chandimal, who looked solid, was eventually removed for 74 by Matthew Kuhnemann.
Sri Lanka’s middle order struggled, with Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, and skipper Dhananjaya de Silva failing to make an impact. However, Kusal Mendis and Ramesh Mendis added a valuable 65-run stand to stabilize the innings.
By stumps, Sri Lanka had lost nine wickets, with Kusal Mendis holding the innings together at 59*.
For Australia, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon were the standout bowlers, claiming three wickets each. Matthew Kuhnemann took two, while Travis Head chipped in with one.
