The defending world champion Australians were closing in on a big win in Galle after enforcing the follow-on and reducing Sri Lanka to 75 for three in its second innings at lunch on the fourth day of the first cricket test on Saturday.

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.

Dinesh Chandimal 's gritty batting somewhat saved Sri Lanka from humiliation in the ongoing opening Test against Australia in Galle. Despite not getting much support from the other end, Chandimal played a 72-run knock as his side finished at 165/10 in response to Australia's first innings score of 654/6d.

Steve Smith has been labelled a tactical “genius” by Australian spinner Matt Kuhnemann after the stand-in skipper helped set up the wicket of Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva on Friday.

Australia have seized a stronghold in the first Test against Sri Lanka, courtesy of a brilliant show by spinners Matthew Kuhnemann and Nathan Lyon. The pair ruled the fourth day of the play, as Sri Lanka crumbled at 165/10 in their first innings.

Australia’s batters have feasted on Sri Lanka’s bowling, racking up milestones and dominance on a rain-curtailed opening day of the first test in Galle.