On February 7, Captain Steve Smith put on a dazzling display of batting skills against Sri Lanka’s spin bowlers, alongside Alex Carey, as both players scored unbeaten centuries. Their fantastic partnership helped Australia reach a strong total of 330 runs for three wickets on day two of the second test in Galle. Smith scored 120 runs, marking his second century in a row in this series, while Carey made an impressive 139 runs—both filled with 22 fours and 3 sixes.
The pair played well together, combining for an amazing 239-run partnership for the fourth wicket at a fast rate of almost four-and-a-half runs per over, keeping Australia on track for a 2-0 series win. Earlier, Sri Lanka was all out for 257 runs, with Kusal Mendis left not out at 85. Matthew Kuhnemann helped get Sri Lanka’s last batsman out, finishing with three wickets.
Australia’s bowlers Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon also took three wickets each. Kusal Mendis, batting at number seven, outshined Dinesh Chandimal to become Sri Lanka’s top scorer in their first innings.
Travis Head began the Australian innings with a quick 21 runs but was caught out after an edge landed in the hands of Sri Lanka’s captain, Dhananjaya de Silva. Marnus Labuschagne was out lbw for just four runs, and Smith survived a close lbw call soon after. He was on 23 runs when another lbw appeal was made, but it was overturned on review, showing the ball had hit him outside the off-stump.
Peiris then got Usman Khawaja out after lunch, but Smith and Carey teamed up well, especially since Carey had stepped up to bat at number five due to Josh Inglis being injured. Smith’s pulled shot off Kamindu Mendis brought up his 36th test century, and soon Australia had passed Sri Lanka’s score. Carey hit two boundaries off Jayasuriya in one over to reach his century in just 118 balls, eventually outscoring Smith.
This report has been drafted from an automated news feed without any text changes.
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