Sri Lanka v Australia, 3rd Test, SSC, Day 3 - The Test is beautifully poised

Even though, the Test series has been won already by Sri Lanka, but the intensity about this series remains quite the same as the previous two Test matches. Both the teams are still very much competitive to give their best on the field and at the moment, this Test match is beautifully poised. Neither Sri Lanka nor Australia are in a commendable position and yet another grueling contest awaiting for us on day 4.

How beautiful Test cricket is!

Before the Indian tour, the English must watch the partnership of Steve Smith and Shaun Marsh. I am sure, it would help them a lot. Finally, the Australian top order got their approach and technique right against the spinners. The SSC track still offered turn and bounce. But for a brief period, Smith and Marsh kept the Australian wag and wheel active by being patient enough.

Shaun Marsh’s ploy to defeat the Lankan spinners’ plan to use the rough by sweeping the ball worked very well and then, the way he left the ball, is a lesson for the young guys. Sandakan pitched the ball in the middle-stump line, which turned prodigiously to hassle Marsh, but Marsh picked the ball from the hand early and calculated the length and trajectory of the ball well to leave those and prolong his stay at the crease.

Smith was at times over-ambitious, but he curbed his aggressive intent and went behind the ball more and played it late. Like Marsh, his footwork was top notch and both the batsmen respected the good balls and scored runs via maneuvering the strike more. Caution is much needed to spend time at the crease.

Sadly, as soon as the partnership broke, the rest of the Australian batsmen, except  Mitchell Marsh, none of the batsmen could emulate Smith and Shaun. The Lankan spinners and Suranga Lakmal didn’t let Australia to take a big lead.

Rangana Herath is really a champion left-arm orthodox bowler. Neither age nor injuries matter for this old warhorse. He ended up with a six-wicket haul.

Thank You
Faisal Caesar