Thu Feb 06 11:36:56 UTC 2025: ## Australia’s Starc Strikes as Sri Lanka’s Tail Enders Fight Back
**COLOMBO, SRI LANKA** – Mitchell Starc made an immediate impact after Australia took the second new ball, but Sri Lanka’s lower order showed resilience in the second Test against Australia at Colombo. Despite Starc’s efforts, Kusal Mendis anchored a crucial 65-run partnership with Ramesh Mendis, showcasing impressive batting to frustrate the Australian bowlers. Mendis’s 50-run contribution was a highlight for Sri Lanka, demonstrating his skill beyond his reputation as a big hitter.
The Australian bowlers, including Starc and Matthew Kuhnemann, struggled to maintain consistent pressure despite periods of good bowling. Kuhnemann, in particular, had a solid spell earlier in the day, but the later overs saw a decline in the effectiveness of both spin and pace bowling.
While Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis fell cheaply to Starc, the partnership between the Mendis brothers proved a significant hurdle for the Australians. Despite Australia’s attempts to exploit the tail, Kusal Mendis’s determined batting and smart single taking thwarted their plans to quickly wrap up the Sri Lankan innings. The day ended with Sri Lanka exceeding 200 runs, leaving the match finely poised. Australia, having already won the Warne-Muralidaran Trophy, needs a victory or draw to secure its first series win in Sri Lanka since 2011.
First Piper 