Thu Jan 30 12:58:40 UTC 2025: ## Australia Dominates Day 2 Against Sri Lanka in Galle Test
**Galle, Sri Lanka:** Australia asserted complete dominance on day two of the first Test against Sri Lanka, piling on a massive first-innings total before reducing the hosts to a precarious 44/3 at stumps.
Usman Khawaja anchored Australia’s innings with a magnificent double century (266), his maiden double ton in Tests. He shared a record-breaking 266-run partnership with captain Steve Smith (141), who also scored a century. Adding to Australia’s impressive batting display, debutant Josh Inglis smashed a century (100), becoming the first Australian to achieve this feat in 10 years. Australia declared their innings at a formidable 654/6, their highest ever Test innings score in Asia. Prabath Jayasuriya and Jeffrey Vandersay were the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers, each claiming three wickets.
Sri Lanka’s reply was quickly stifled by the Australian attack. Dimuth Karunaratne was dismissed early, followed by Angelo Mathews who was brilliantly caught by Travis Head. Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Matt Kuhnemann each picked up a wicket as Sri Lanka reached 44/3 at the close of play. Dinesh Chandimal (9*) and Kamindu Mendis (13*) will resume the innings on day three. Mendis was fortunate to survive an early appeal for caught behind.
Despite Sri Lanka’s struggles, Chandimal and Mendis’s late resilience offers a glimmer of hope. If they can emulate Australia’s batting prowess, Sri Lanka could yet make a contest of the match. However, Australia holds a commanding position going into day three, needing 17 more wickets for victory. Play resumes Friday at 4.10 pm GMT.
First Piper 