Rex Clementine in Galle Sri Lanka were in dire straits, having lost the cream of their batting lineup for peanuts and limped to 44 for three at stumps on day two, in reply to Australia’s mammoth first-innings total of 654 for six declared.

Sri Lanka was staring down the barrel at 44-3 after Australia achieved its largest ever total in Asia — 654-6 declared — on day two of the first test on Thursday. Fatigued after spending five and a half sessions fielding under the scorching sun,

Mitchell Starc picked the crucial wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne in the second innings of the first Test. This was the 700th wicket of his international career across all formats. Australia now become the first team in the world with four bowlers to take 700 or more wickets in international cricket.

But his impactful 100 came to end after lobbing one to mid-off as Jayasuriya picked up his third wicket. Alex Carey and Beau Webster rotated the strike towards the end of the session to leave Australia on 600. Jayasuriya sent down 60 overs in total, the most he has bowled in an innings.

Kuhnemann trapped Oshada Fernando (seven) lbw in the second over of the innings, while Starc removed fellow Dimuth Karunaratne (seven) shortly later thanks to a cracking catch from sub fielder Nathan McSweeney.

Usman Khawaja’s maiden Test double century and a rapid ton from debutant Josh Inglis decimated a flagging Sri Lanka before Australia’s attack breathed life into a slow Galle surface late on day two. After stand-in captain Steven Smith declared Australia’s innings on 654 for 6 midway through the final session,

Australia's stand-in skipper Steve Smith called it right at the toss and has opted to bat first at the Galle International Stadium

Injured Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka is unlikely to play the first Test against Australia in Galle, starting on Wednesday

Australia had Sri Lanka three down after opener Usman Khawaja's first double century and a ton on debut by Josh Inglis helped the tourists to 654-6 declared in the first match on Thursday.

GALLE, Sri Lanka, Jan 30, (AP): Sri Lanka was staring down the barrel at 44-3 after Australia achieved its largest-ever total in Asia - 654-6 declared - on day two of the first test on Thursday. Fatigued after spending five and a half sessions fielding under the scorching sun, Sri Lanka’s batting resistance was minimal.

Usman Khawaja's maiden Test double century and a rapid ton from debutant Josh Inglis decimated a flagging Sri Lanka before Australia's attack breathed life into a slow Galle surfa

Khawaja's eight-hour-plus knock of 232 off 352 balls was historic — the first Australian to score a double hundred in Sri Lanka