Smith & Labuschagne Tons Put Australia On Top On Day 1 In 2nd Test Against Sri Lanka

Australia score 298/5 at Stumps on day 1 in the second test match against Sri Lanka.

Cricket Image for Smith & Labuschagne's Ton Puts Australia On Top On Day 1 In 2nd Test Against Sri L (Image Source: Google)

SL vs AUS 2nd Test: After Sri Lanka managed to remove in-form opener, David Warner, early on in the 5th over, the Australian batters showed immensely incredible batting performance as the tourists scored 298/5 at stumps on day 1. 

Sri Lankan pacer Kasun Rajitha dismissed David Warner for 5 runs in the 5th over as Australia suffered their first blow for just 15 runs. Opener Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne then held the crease for Australians as they added 55 runs for the second wicket. 

Spinner Ramesh Mendis then struck in the 22nd over as he dismissed Usman Khawaja for 37 runs with 4 fours. Steven Smith then joined Marnus Labuschagne in the middle as these two etched a partnership of 134 runs for the third wicket, stabilizing the Australian innings who were 70/2 at one point. 

Labuschagne was then dismissed in the 59th over by Prabath Jayasuriya after scoring 104 runs with 12 boundaries. Travis Head (12) was the next batter to be dismissed as Prabath Jayasuriya picked up his second wicket in the 73rd over while Australia lost their 4th wicket on a total of 238. 

The next batter in, Cameron Green was also dismissed cheaply by Prabhat Jayasuriya, for just 4 runs. However, Steve Smith continued on the other end as he finally ended his century drought, notching up his 28th test hundred. At Stumps, Steve Smith (109*) and Alex Carey (16*) were at the crease for the Australian team.

Australia are on top after the end of day 1 of the 2nd test!#SLvAUS #SteveSmith pic.twitter.com/ySoatXSf9A

— CRICKETNMORE (@cricketnmore) July 8, 2022

Earlier, Australian captain Pat Cummins won the toss & opted to bat first against Sri Lanka in the second test. Australia have already won the first test and Sri Lanka are in a must-win situation in the game to level the 2-match test series. This match is being played at Galle International Stadium, Galle.