By: Nalin Jayetileke
Monday (11th) was a great day for the present Sri Lankan Team and for Sri Lanka as they levelled the two-Test series against Australia in Galle, amidst a turbulent background of events in the capital city Colombo, which is trying to come out of Political unrest.
It was the batter Dinesh Chandimal’s double-century, his career-best which took Sri Lanka to a comfortable lead and then it was all done and dusted by the the fresh face in this Sri Lanka Side, Prabath Jayasuriya who finished with the best figures by a Sri Lankan on Test debut with a match bag of 12-wickets, recording a 39 run Innings victory for Sri Lanka.
There had been many great innings a Sri Lankan Batter has played against Australia. 147 runs by Thilakarante Dilshan in 2012 (Hobart) , 167 runs by Aravinda De Silva in 1989 (Brisbane) , Kusal Mendis 176 in 2016 (Pallekelle) and the the Great Kumar Sangakkara making 192 in 2007 (Hobart) before Dinesh Chandimal recorded 206 unbeaten at Galle on Monday as the highest by a Sri Lankan against Australia. The Chief Selector Mr Pramodha Wickramasinghe when contacted by thesundayreadr.lk sports correspondent Samantha Hewabandula, about the inclusion of Dinesh Chandimal before the Test Series has said ” you wait and see, he will deliver and its a matter of time that we see a good knock from Dinesh”. This classy knock of 206 has proven Wickramasinghe correct. The way Chandimal batted, Australia had no answer and he was free in his batting display to record Sri Lankas highest against the boys from down under.
When Australia came in to bat they lost all ten wickets for 102 in just less than 30 overs. Prabath Jayasuriya became within the 5 bowlers who have taken a match bag of 12 wickets in their debut.
It was a great fight back by the Sri Lankans after loosing the 1st Test to bounce back and level the two match series, recording a 39 run victory.
2nd Test match scores
Sri Lanka 554 (Kusal Mendis 85, Dimuth Karunaratne 86, Dinesh Chandimal 206*), For Australia whilst Starc took 4-89 Swepson took 3 wickets for 103.
Australia 364 (Smith 145, Labuschagne 104, Jayasuriya 6-118) and 151 (Labuschagne 32, Jayasuriya 6-59, Theekshana 2-28, Ramesh Mendis 2-47) Sri Lanka won by an innings and 39 runs
