Australia v Sri Lanka: Steve Smith makes history, Starc, Lyon, tear through Sri Lankan resistance

Steve Smith became Australia’s most prolific gloveless catcher in Test history as Mitchell Starc powered through Galle’s humidity to stifle Sri Lanka’s resistance late on day one of the second Test.

Steve Smith became Australia’s most prolific gloveless catcher in its Test history as Mitchell Starc powered through Galle’s humidity to stifle Sri Lanka’s resistance late on day one of the second Test.

Starc struck twice in as many deliveries with the second new ball as the hosts ended Thursday at 9-229 after frustrating Australia’s intentionally weakened attack for a couple of extended stretches at Galle International Stadium.

Kusal Mendis and Ramesh Mendis combined for a 65-run stand before Starc found a faint edge from Ramesh Mendis who fell for 28. The left-arm spearhead continued his longtime dominance of Sri Lanka as Prabath Jayasuriya nicked to Smith at second slip for a golden duck. It was Smith’s 197th catch in Tests, moving past Ricky Ponting for the most by a non-wicketkeeper for Australia.

Steve Smith made another piece of Australian Test cricket history. Picture: Getty Images

Nishan Peiris played and missed at the hat-trick ball but was bowled without scoring by Matt Kuhnemann. Kusal Mendis held firm though to end the day unbeaten on 59 alongside No. 11 Lahiru Kumara (0 not out).

Josh Inglis spent much of the day off the field with back stiffness, which could force Australia into a reshuffle of its batting order.

Having made the bold move of picking just three frontline bowlers in a bid to stiffen the side’s batting on a wicket expected to turn significantly, the Aussies were held at bay for much of the first session as former Sri Lankan captains Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal combined for a 70-run second-wicket stand.

Sri Lanka's Dinesh Chandimal scored 74 in another strong knock. Picture: AFP

But from a strong base of 1-93 after winning the toss and batting on a warm and clear day, Sri Lanka collapsed to lose 4-34 as another Galle Test accelerated dramatically.

Left-arm tweaker Kuhnemann got in on the act to have Chandimal stumped for 74 not long after the resumption, leaving Sri Lanka 6-150.

The tourists made one change to the team that completed an innings victory inside four days last week, with left-arm spinning all-rounder Cooper Connolly, 21, included at the expense of specialist offie Todd Murphy.

Connolly remains without a first-class wicket, sending down just three overs on day one as Starc, Kuhnemann and Nathan Lyon did most of the bowling.

For a brief window, the move looked like it could backfire as the veteran Sri Lankan pair played with discipline that had been badly lacking from the home side in the series opener. At lunch the wicket had not started to play too many tricks.

Mitchell Starc finished the day with three wickets. Picture: Getty Images

But the circuit was broken when Lyon struck to remove Karunaratne for 36 shortly after the interval. The opener had received a guard of honour before play to mark his 100th and final Test but had his defence breached by a delivery that turned to take leg stump.

From there the clamps were swiftly applied. Angelo Mathews got bogged down and was eventually well taken by Alex Carey after Lyon drew an edge to claim his 549th wicket in Test cricket.

For a moment Lyon had 550 only for it to be overturned on review as DRS showed Kamindu Mendis had not nicked one that umpire Joel Wilson judged to be caught behind.

But Mendis’ disappointing series continued when he miscued trying to caress Travis Head through the off-side in the part-timer’s first over of the match to fall for 13. Head celebrated the wicket by twirling his arm around, seemingly suggesting it was on fire.

Starc then returned to the attack, beginning to generate reverse swing and claiming the scalp of Dhananjaya de Silva for a golden duck as the Sri Lankan skipper edged to Beau Webster at gully trying to drive.

Ultimately the middle session yielded just 57 runs for Sri Lanka, for the loss of four wickets in 28 overs.

Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis celebrates after scoring a half-century. Picture: AFP

The only wicket to fall in the morning was that of returning opener Pathum Nissnka, whose leg-bail was dislodged by Lyon on 11.

Just as he did in the first innings last week, Chandimal fought valiantly as those around him fell.

The hosts had made three changes. Leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay was surprisingly omitted, replaced by off-spinning all-rounder Ramesh Mendis, Kumara assumed the sole pace spot of Asitha Fernando while Oshada Fernando made way for the fit-again Nissanka.

Connolly became Australia’s 471st male Test cricketer, receiving his cap from former Test star and now commentator Simon Katich. Connolly’s parents Shane and Donna were on hand. It was the fourth straight Test in which the Aussie men have fielded a debutant.

Originally published as Australia v Sri Lanka: Steve Smith makes history, Starc, Lyon, tear through Sri Lankan resistance