Day 1, Galle
The two captains stared dubiously at the strip of greyish-brown rammed earth set in the midst of a sea of emerald green and mused. Not about what to do: you always bat first here. But what sleeping demons lurked beneath the surface? Would it turn square from the first over? Probably not, but a closer inspection revealed a jigsaw puzzle of crazy paving. The home side wanted more turn this time round, and it appeared they were going to get it. They included Nissanka, whose absence from the first game was mysterious; Lahiru Kumara came in for Fernando as the sole quick; and Ramesh Mendis was included in place of Vandersay: a curious decision indeed.
For Australia, Murphy was omitted in favour of Connolly. The role of third spinner is not one of paramount importance in the scheme of things; and Australia decided the lad was worth a go to strengthen the batting. To his inexpressible relief de Silva won the toss and sent his men out to bat. Nissanka was fortunate to survive Kuhnemann’s opening over. Umpire’s call is always frustrating for whoever raises the appeal; but the visitors did not have to wait long. Lyon came on for the eighth over and bowled Nissanka around his legs. Already it was apparent that the pitch wasn’t spinning much as yet. It was more a defeat in flight. Or perchance merely a wildly optimistic swipe.
Thereafter Chandimal and the Karunaratne prospered until lunch, taken at 1/87. Thereafter the innings subsided. In his final Test match Karunaratne edged Lyon’s arm-ball into his leg stump and departed in regret. On this pitch variations are vital; but the deadliest delivery is the one which goes straight on. Many of Rangana Herath’s four hundred-odd wickets were thus achieved. Lyon and Kuhnemann then tied Mathews in knots, and the grizzled veteran chased a wide one and edged to Carey, having made one run of 26 deliveries. With figures of 3/27 this was Lyon’s last wicket for the day; but his early incisions were crucial, and blazed a path for the other bowlers.
After Chandimal completed his fifty Smith decreed that Head should join in the party. Two boundaries and a single of his opening over? No problem. The last ball Kamindu edged to Smith at slip. Much was spoken of Head’s golden arm, although the traditional gilding generally refers to organs further down the body. Head was overjoyed, as well he might be. At once Smith recalled Starc, who despatched de Silva with a wide away-swinger pouched in the gully by Webster. Chandimal’s feelings can be well imagined. Here we are, batting first, and half the side is out for nothing much.
Chandimal’s personal luck ran out shortly afterwards. He survived a difficult dropped chance from Head, and was shaken up by Starc’s searing pace. Finally Kuhnemann induced him out of his crease and Carey whipped the bails off. He walked off, far from gruntled. He has not failed yet in the series; but where is the support? Fortunately for the home side Kusal Mendis defied everything which came his way, and finished the day with a courageous 59 not out. Ramesh (the third Mendis to stride to the crease) stayed with him long enough to raise the two hundred. But with the new ball came the return of Starc the assassin. He caught Ramesh on the crease and nicked behind; while Jayasuriya was similarly caught next ball. Kuhnemann picked up Peiris expecting more turn than there was, and by stumps Sri Lanka had hung on to reach 9/229.
They have reason to lament a want of discipline in their batting, aside from Chandimal and Kusal. With the big advantage of the toss thrown away, they will want to bowl well tomorrow to stay in the game. And Smith, as he trudged off the field at day’s end, looked like the cat that had not only pinched the cream, but poached the smoked salmon from the fridge and persuaded the householders to open a tin of caviar. Everything he tried worked out, despite his limited bowling attack. Vindication for him, and the inscrutable coach, yet again.