Sri Lanka v Australia, 1st test, Pallekele, Day 2 - Herath and Sandakan shine, but Australia take a lead

I couldn’t understand Steve Smith’s attempt against Rangana Herath. It was a shot out of nowhere from a batsman who is rated highly by the critics at present. Perhaps, he wanted to dominate Herath from the word go, but it’s hard to fetch something productive by scripting such brain-freezed strokes. While the other Australian batsmen looked below-par against the Sri Lankan spin attack and some of them just threw their wickets away. Still, Australia managed to take the all important lead of 86 runs courtesy of an Adam Voges’ patient knock.

At this age, still, Herath is the most potent weapon for the Sri Lankans and the new guy Sandakan had impressed in his first ever outing. He could not impress in England while touring with the Sri Lanka A side, but Pallekele didn’t desert him. He generated enough drift with great authority and seems to have a great control over his wrong-un. He looked promising, but Sri Lanka need to bat very well in the second innings to make Herath and Sandakan heavily satisfied.    

I still believe, this track is not a volatile one, but if a batsman stays at the crease and rotates strike rather than attempting big strokes, he can fetch runs from here.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar