Sri Lanka v Australia LIVE: Tourists push for victory on day four
A banner hung from the ramparts of the old Dutch fort proclaiming “South Africa you’re next!” and in the final half hour of day three Australia finally struck the pivotal blows to put them within sight of a 2-0 victory over Sri Lanka.
The hosts’ middle order put up serious resistance in the evening session, building a pesky lead with the possibility of more on the fourth morning, before the tireless Nathan Lyon (3-80, including his 550th wicket in Tests) captured Angelo Mathews (76) on the sweep.
Ahead of the pack: Travis Head has had a successful tour of Sri Lanka.Credit: Getty Images
Mathews fell to one of three excellent catches taken by Beau Webster in this match, and perhaps it was this athletic snaffle at deep backward square leg that caused Steve Smith to give him the ball for some off-spin.
Webster got enough pop to have Ramesh Mendis pouched at short leg, before the excellent Matt Kuhnemann (4-52) defeated his opposite number Prabath Jayasuriya with a classic delivery in the day’s last over, to leave Australia with two more wickets to get. Kusal Mendis (48 not out), playing with freedom and class, is his side’s last hope of a substantial fourth innings chase, as their lead is just 54.
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