Rain and Chandimal frustrate Australia in Galle test

ISHARA S. KODIKARA/ AFP

Dinesh Chandimal's unbeaten half-century and persistent rain in Galle delayed Australia's push for victory in the opening test against Sri Lanka on Friday.

Only a 27-over session was possible on day three with Sri Lanka losing two wickets and slumping to 136-5 before rain stopped play.

Chandimal was batting on 63 with Kusal Mendis on 10 at the other end.

Sri Lanka are still 518 runs behind and will need a Herculean effort to avoid the follow-on even though more rain is forecast for Saturday.

Australia seized control of the contest after declaring their first innings on a mammoth 654-6 and made a couple of inroads when play resumed on Friday.

Kamindu Mendis (15) fell to a wayward delivery from Mitchell Starc, which the batter tickled down the leg side to be caught behind.

Dhananjaya de Silva (22) also threw away his wicket as the Sri Lanka captain came dancing down the track against left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann only to miss the ball.

Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey had all the time in the world to collect the ball and whip off the bails.

Chandimal hit Nathan Lyon for three fours in an over and has looked comfortable.

More from Sports News

  • Manchester City striker Haaland suffers ankle injury

    Manchester City's Erling Haaland sustained an ankle injury in their FA Cup quarter-final at Bournemouth over the weekend, the Premier League club said on Monday, with the striker requiring further tests to determine the full extent of the injury.

  • Rory McIlroy battling injury with Masters approaching

    Rory McIlroy acknowledged he is dealing with an elbow injury as he prepares to head to Augusta for next week's Masters. The World No. 2 made a spirited run up the leaderboard at the Texas Children's Houston Open on Sunday, carding a 4-under 31 on the front nine that included an eagle.

  • Caitlin Clark sports card sets record after selling at auction

    WNBA star Caitlin Clark's 2024 Panini Prizm WNBA Signatures Gold Vinyl Prizm card, numbered 1-of-1, has set a record sale for a female sports card after going under the hammer for $366,000 (AED 1.3 million) at auction.

  • Saka ready to return, says Arsenal manager Arteta

    Arsenal's Bukayo Saka could make his long-awaited return against Fulham in the Premier League on Tuesday after recovering from a hamstring injury, his manager Mikel Arteta said.

  • Teenager Mensik denies Djokovic 100th title in Miami Open upset

    Nineteen-year-old Czech Jakub Mensik beat his childhood idol Novak Djokovic 7-6(4) 7-6(4) in an upset for the ages on Sunday, claiming his first ATP title at the Miami Open as he denied the former number one his bid for a milestone 100th.

Coming Up

  • Dubai 92 Chilled

    10:00pm - Midnight

  • Dubai 92 Chilled

    Midnight - 1:00am