Australia were given a long-but-light workout against spin on the second day, as all their batsmen hit at least 25, though only Steven Smith and Steve O'Keefe passed fifty. The second-day pitch at the P Sara Oval had begun to take some turn, but Australia can expect significantly drier conditions and substantially higher-quality slow bowling in the Tests. Nevertheless, a team total of 431 for 9 represented a strong outing for the visitors. The Sri Lanka selectors, watching on, would know the Australians have emerged from their first spin trial of the tour in ominous form.
The Sri Lankan XI attack, which did not feature the island's top spin prospects to begin with, operated under a kind of self-prohibition. Perhaps out of a strategic decision not to accustom the Australian batsmen to left-arm spin, captain Milinda Siriwardana did not bowl himself at all in the day. The other left-arm spinner, Chaturanga de Silva, was given only short spells at the top order; only when the tail-enders arrived at the crease was he more liberally used.
Sri Lanka will hope this tactic sees Rangana Herath's threat maximised when the Tests begin on July 26 in Pallekele. Siriwardana may also fairly expect to be named in the Sri Lanka squad, and if the selectors are of a similar view, Siriwardana will have kept his own powder dry.
The day's foremost workhorse was Shehan Jayasuriya, whose offspin may be classified his secondary skill. He delivered 29 overs, took five for 109, and sparked several close shouts while the seamers were rotated at the other end. Vimukthi Perera was the most impressive of the quick men, bringing a ball in to Joe Burns to bowl him for 72 in the morning, but Nisala Tharaka was also sharp in patches.
O'Keefe's unbeaten 62 may be the most consequential of the day's performances for the Australians, as it raised his chances of entering the Test XI. Having taken a five-wicket haul on day one, O'Keefe was a measured foil to Mitchell Starc's adventure, as the pair put on 59 runs from 13 overs late in the day. O'Keefe was largely content to nurdle the singles, often using his feet to spin. Starc, meanwhile, deployed a devastating slog sweep several times in his 48-ball 45. The pair did benefit from unimpressive ground fielding, however.
Earlier in the day, Adam Voges and Smith had made 88 in each other's company, largely finding runs on the leg side, as Voges in particular shelved the more aggressive shots. The pair's frill-free accumulation took the Australians past the Sri Lankan XI's 229, and formed the foundation of their team's advance on day two. Smith came down the track to hit the offspin of Jayasuriya over the infield on occasion, but largely reserved his more expansive strokes for the seamers.
It was spin that brought both batsmen's stay to a close. Smith was trapped in front by de Silva, before Jayasuriya turned one in from the developing rough to beat Voges' sweep shot and rattle his off stump. Mitchell Marsh struck a quick 25 thereafter, but was also out to Jayasuriya - caught behind down the leg side, though he did jokingly ask for a review of the umpire's decision to suggest he did not hit the ball. Jayasuriya caught a high top-edge off Starc's bat, and sent one through Lyon's defences to complete his five-wicket haul.
(espncricinfo)
