Nathan Lyon achieves rare bowling feat, surpasses R Ashwin
What's the story
Australian spin bowler Nathan Lyon has recorded a rare bowling feat in the ongoing Test match against Sri Lanka.
He achieved the rare feat of dismissing a batter twice in the same session, by picking up Sri Lankan batsman Dinesh Chandimal twice on Day 4.
The unique feat was achieved at 10:13am local time in Chandimal's first innings, and again at 12:03pm after Australia enforced a follow-on.
Here's more.
Match summary
Chandimal's struggle and Australia's dominance
Chandimal showed some fight with a 72 in the first innings, but Sri Lanka were no match for Australia's mammoth 654/6d.
Sri Lanka could only post 165 in reply, and Australia enforced a follow-on.
The fourth day was a nightmare for the hosts as they lost eight wickets in one session - five from the first innings and three after being asked to bat again.
Bowling performance
Kuhnemann and Lyon's bowling prowess
Matthew Kuhnemann was Australia's star performer as he picked his second five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Lyon also contributed as well, with three wickets in the first innings.
Although Sri Lanka had a rough start to their second innings, Chandimal returned to the crease soon after his first dismissal but could only add 31 runs off 49 deliveries before being dismissed by Lyon again.
Record breaker
Lyon sets new record in Sri Lanka
With his second-innings dismissal of Chandimal, Lyon also set a new bowling record in Sri Lanka.
He surpassed India's Ravichandran Ashwin to become the highest wicket-taker among overseas bowlers on Sri Lankan soil with 42 scalps.
Ashwin had previously held the record with 38 wickets in Sri Lanka.
Stats
A look at Lyon's Test stats
The spinner has now raced to 546 scalps across 135 matches (251 innings).
He boasts an average of 30.25, with his best innings figures being 8/50, and best match figures reading 13/154.
Additionally, he owns 24 five-wicket hauls and five 10-wicket match hauls.
Meanwhile, against SL, he owns a tally of 53 wickets at an average of 32.81. Notably, he also bowled 1,070 maidens.
Match recap
Australia destroy sorry Sri Lanka in Galle Test
Australia recorded a massive innings triumph in the first Test against Sri Lanka, played in Galle.
In response to Australia's first innings score of 654/6d, the Lankan team could only manage 165 and 247 in their two innings.
Meanwhile, the Lankans lost 15 wickets on Day 4 thanks to the spin duo of Kuhnemann and Lyon.
Lyon recorded figures worth 3/57 and 4/78, while Kuhnemann played a pivotal role in Australia's historic victory, recording figures worth 5/63 and 4/86.