Australia v Sri Lanka Test 2 Day 2: Live scores, updates from Galle

Australia has admitted their decision to drop Victorian Todd Murphy in favour of debutant part time spinner Cooper Connolly was made based on a misread of the second Test pitch conditions.

Australia expected the wicket in Galle to turn more than it did on day one after the tourists boldly chose to omit frontline spinner Todd Murphy for debutant all-rounder Cooper Connolly in what assistant coach Daniel Vettori labelled an “incredibly tough call.”

Sri Lanka was 9-229 at stumps on Thursday after winning the toss and batting, having recovered from 6-150 after a defiant 65-run stand from Kamindu Mendis and Ramesh Mendis.

Specialist tweakers Nathan Lyon and Matt Kuhnemann bowled 30 overs each, while Mitchell Starc braved oppressive conditions to send down 16 himself and finish the day with 3-37.

Connolly by contrast was employed for just three overs of left-arm spin.

The Aussies had picked Connolly, ultimately more of a batter than a bowler, anticipating a quick match where batting depth would be needed.

Vettori conceded after play that the deck had not played quite as predicted.

Part time spinner, debutant Cooper Connolly bowled three overs in the day’s play. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

“A pretty good day. I think it’s obviously an attritional day, and I think we probably anticipated doing it a little bit more,” Vettori said.

“It’s incredibly dry compared to the first Test wicket, so we thought that it would start to break up. Which it has. I think if you go and have a look at the surface now, the footmarks have really come to the fore, and it’ll get dustier and dustier. So potentially, thought it’d do a little bit more, but pretty content with the day.”

Murphy was left out after taking just one wicket in the first Test. It is the fourth time he has been dropped from the side since his debut in February 2023. Vettori said the Victorian off-spinner had been unlucky.

“We thought that the number of overs would come down, and maybe batting would come to the fore. So having Coops’ ability to bat down the order, and thinking that is that his left-arm spin was a good option too. So incredibly tough call on Murph, because I think whenever he’s coming to the team, he’s done a fantastic job. (It was) just our interpretation of the wicket that led us to believe that that runs are going to be a premium.”

Vettori lauded Starc for his ability to remain a threat throughout the day in conditions where traditionally pace does not play a major role.

“He was able to maintain his speed. I thought his speed was exceptional throughout the day, and constantly pose questions. So he presented as more of an option than potentially we anticipated. And then Nathan was Nathan, and then we’re able to work around him.”

Vettori also noted Dinesh Chandimal’s important 74 for the hosts, an innings that had helped leave the match in the balance.

Mitchell Starc was able to remain a threat throughout the day in conditions where traditionally pace does not play a major role. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

“I think it’s pretty tight. I think, like I said, we anticipated the wicket coming to the fore in terms of those footmarks and it breaking up and becoming quite dusty. I think Sri Lanka played the style of game where they wanted to bat an extended period of time. I think they were probably a lot more aggressive in the first Test, and today in particular Chandimal was very selective with the shots and played exceptionally well.

“And that partnership between the two Mendises at the end showed that you can, I suppose, compete on this wicket, albeit that it is tricky.”

Sri Lanka assistant Thilina Kandamby meanwhile said the hosts had initially been aiming for a total of 350 or more.

SESSION TIMES (AEDT)

Session 1: 3.30pm - 5.30pm

Session 2: 6.10pm - 8.10pm

Session 3: 8.30pm - 10.30pm

* An extra 30 minutes can be used to complete daily overs

Originally published as Australia v Sri Lanka Test 2 Day 2: Live scores, updates from Galle