SRI LANKAN FIGHTBACK NOT ENOUGH

PALLEKELE (SRI LANKA): Australia removed Sri Lankan opener Kusal Perera cheaply after building up an 86-run first innings lead over their hosts as they took firm command on Wednesday of a low-scoring Test here.

Perera fell to the last ball of the day, with the umpires once again forced to call a premature halt to proceedings following a downpour at the picturesque ground on the outskirts of Kandy.

Australia were all out for 203 in reply to Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 117, with spinner Lakshan Sandakan taking four wickets on his debut.

The early loss of Perera on the second day of the first Test was another bitter blow for the struggling hosts. BRIEF SCORES Sri Lanka 117 and

6/1 vs Australia 203 (A Voges 47, R Herath 4/49, Sandakan 4/58)