Kusal Mendis slams his fourth 50-plus score vs Australia (Tests)
What's the story
Sri Lanka ended their first innings at 257/10 on Day 2 of the ongoing second Test match against Australia.
The match is being played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.
Kusal Mendis's unbeaten 85 helped the Lankan Lions crossed the 200-run mark.
Though he missed out on his second Test hundred against the Aussies, his brilliance powered the hosts to a respectable total.
Here are further details.
Strategic gameplay
Mendis's strategic gameplay boosts Sri Lanka's score
While Dinesh Chandimal's 74 headlined the play on Day 1, Mendis batted brilliantly with the tail in the final session of Day 1 and the second day's morning session.
He smartly rotated the strike while operating with the tail-enders, contributing significantly to SL's score.
Notably, the home team was reduced to 127/5 when Mendis arrived to bat.
He dominated a 65-run stand with Ramesh Mendis (28) for the seventh wicket to take his side past 200.
Score update
Sri Lanka added 28 runs on Day 2
On Day 2, Sri Lanka added another 28 runs to their overnight score. Mendis, who resumed at 59*, found the boundary on a couple of occasions, boosting the team's total.
However, their innings came to an end when Lahiru Kumara was dismissed.
Australia's bowling attack, spearheaded by Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Matthew Kuhnemann, kept Sri Lanka's scoring in check.
All three bowlers picked three wickets apiece.
Stats
20th Test fifty for Mendis
Mendis's 85* came off 139 balls as he smoked 10 fours and a maximum during his stay.
Playing his 71st Test, Mendis has raced to 4,618 runs at 36.65. In addition to 10 tons, he has slammed 20 fifties.
As per ESPNcricinfo, Mendis now owns 595 runs versus the Aussies at 39.66. He registered his third fifty against them (100: 1).