Former captain Dinesh Chandimal hit a gritty century to steer Sri Lanka to a lead of 67 on day three of the second Test against Australia on Sunday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Australia's spinners hit back with late wickets as the hosts reached 431 for six at stumps at the Galle International Stadium.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chandimal, on 118, and Ramesh Mendis, on seven, were batting at the close of play on a pitch which held firm and witnessed a brief spell of morning and afternoon rain.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chandimal's 133-run fifth-wicket stand with debutant Kamindu Mendis, who made 61, remained the highlight of the day's play as Sri Lanka surpassed Australia's first innings total of 364.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But Chandimal was lucky to survive a reprieve on 30 when Mitchell Starc had him caught behind only for the umpire to deny the call but ultra-edge showed a spike when the ball passed the bat.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Australia were left frustrated as they had exhausted their three umpire reviews and Chandimal went on to tire out the bowlers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Spinners Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Swepson and Starc worked hard to claim two wickets each.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chandimal reached his 13th Test century and second against Australia as he screamed in delight and raised his bat to an applauding dressing room.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Leg-spinner Swepson soon struck to send back the left-handed Kamindu, who survived a missed stumping on 43, bowled and Lyon took down wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella for five.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But Chandimal and Ramesh, who was given out caught behind and successfully reviewed the call in his favour, saw the day through.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Earlier another veteran batsman Angelo Mathews contributed with 52 before falling to Starc's left-arm pace in the second session.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Lyon struck early in the day to send back overnight batsman Kusal Mendis trapped lbw for 85 after the hosts resumed on 184-2.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chandimal soon took stock and hit back with a four and a six off Lyon before grinding down the opposition with Mathews, who came into the match after recovering from Covid, for company till after lunch.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He was then joined by Kamindu who came in as one of the three debutants including spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, who took six wickets in Australia's innings, after a Covid outbreak in Sri Lankan squad.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Scores of fans turned up for the cricket on the third day, despite the host country facing fresh political unrest arising from its painful economic crisis.<\/p>\r\n\r\n