SL vs AUS, 2nd Test: Australia Dominates Day 2 with Smith, Carey’s Masterclass

Captain Steve Smith showed brilliant batting skills against spin bowling as he and Alex Carey smashed unbeaten centuries, helping Australia reach 330/3 on Day 2 of the final Test in Galle on Friday. Smith was batting on 120 not out his second century in a series in succession while Carey was putting up his maiden Test career performance with 139* that involved 22 fours and three sixes. The right-left pair put on a massive 239-run partnership for the fourth wicket, scoring at nearly 4.5 runs per over. Their efforts kept Australia on track for a 2-0 series win.

Before that Sri Lanka was bowled out for 257, with Kusal Mendis remaining unbeaten on 85 in the Galle International Stadium. Lahiru Kumara was dismissed by Matthew Kuhnemann to take his third wicket while Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc also took three wickets each. Kusal was Sri Lanka's highest scorer, scoring 85*, and was also involved in a 61-run partnership with Dinesh Chandimal (74), but failed to get sufficient partnerships. 

Australia Loses Early Wickets but Smith and Carey Take Control

Australia got a flying start thanks to Travis Head, who hit a quick 21 off 21 balls. However, he edged a delivery from Nishan Peiris to Dhananjaya de Silva in the slips. Prabath Jayasuriya trapped Marnus Labuschagne lbw for 4 after Sri Lanka won a review. Soon after, Smith survived a close lbw appeal against Jayasuriya, with Sri Lanka using another review but failing to overturn the decision.

Smith, on 23, was given out lbw to Peiris but successfully overturned the decision after replays showed the ball hit outside the off-stump. Peiris later dismissed Usman Khawaja (36) after lunch. However, Smith then partnered with Carey, who was promoted to No. 5 due to Josh Inglis' back injury, to take the game away from Sri Lanka. 

Smith reached his 36th Test hundred with a pull shot off Kamindu Mendis, while Australia went past Sri Lanka’s total. Carey hit Jayasuriya for two fours in an over to reach his 118-ball century and eventually overtook his captain.