16 August,2016 08:17 AM IST | | AFP
Centuries from Steve Smith and Shaun Marsh raised Australian hopes of avoiding a whitewash in the final Test against Sri Lanka yesterday before the visitors were pegged back by their bogeyman Rangana Herath
Shaun Marsh (right) celebrates a century as Steve Smith hugs him during the third Test vs SL in Colombo yesterday. Pic/AP,PTI
Colombo: Centuries from Steve Smith and Shaun Marsh raised Australian hopes of avoiding a whitewash in the final Test against Sri Lanka yesterday before the visitors were pegged back by their bogeyman Rangana Herath.
Shaun Marsh (right) celebrates a century as Steve Smith hugs him during the third Test vs SL in Colombo yesterday. Pic/AP,PTI
Smith and Marsh compiled a record 246 runs for the second wicket, putting Australia on track for a decisive lead in reply to Sri Lanka's first innings total of 355, before Herath put the brakes on with a six wicket haul.
Australia were eventually all out for 379, a lead which was cut to just two by close of play as Sri Lanka reached 22 at stumps, albeit with the loss of opener Dilruwan Perera who was lbw to Mitchell Starc for eight. Dimuth Karunaratne was unbeaten on eight, alongside Kaushal Silva who has so far made six.
