Galle Test: Dinesh Chandimal shines with valiant half-century vs Australia
What's the story
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.
The Lankans have been asked to follow on and Chandimall will have the onus to put up another batting exhibition.
Match progress
A vital hand from Chandimal
Despite the weather interruptions, Australia have kept a tight hold on the match.
They declared their first innings at a mammoth 654/6 and picked up three quick wickets on Day 2.
Chandimal, who arrived at number three, brilliantly tackled the Aussie pacers and spinners.
He was the only one from his team to cross the 25-run mark as wickets kept tumbling at the other end.
Batting strategy
Chandimal's aggressive batting against Lyon
Chandimal was aggressive against Nathan Lyon, smashing him for three boundaries in one over.
Initially, he was contained by Lyon but opted to take the attack against the bowler who had been Australia's trump card in their pace-dominated home series against India.
This resulted in an interesting contest as Lyon bowled from around the wicket targeting developing footmarks, but Chandimal was unfazed and used his sweep shot to perfection.
Lyon eventually trapped him on Day 4 morning.
Stats
Here are his Test numbers
Chandimal smashed nine fours en route to his 139-ball 72.
Playing his 87th Test, the veteran has raced past 6,090 runs at an average of 43-plus. He now owns 16 hundreds and 31 fifties.
In 38 home Tests, he has smashed over 2,850 runs at 48-plus, as per ESPNcricinfo.
Over 650 of his runs have come against the Aussies at 45-plus (100s: 2, 50s: 2).
Summary
How has the match proceeded?
Usman Khawaja, who slammed a career-best 232, was the star of Australia's massive first-innings total.
Stand-in skipper Steve Smith also made his bat talk and played a 141-run knock.
Josh Inglis (102) recorded the second-fastest ton on Test debut, off 90 balls, further adding misery to SL's woes.
SL could only manage 165/10 in response as Matthew Kuhnemann claimed a fifer. Lyon dismissed three batters.