Australia once again demonstrated why they are regarded as one of the greatest fielding sides, producing two moments of brilliance towards the end of Day 2 in their first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. After amassing a mammoth first-innings total of 654 for 6, Australia remained sharp in the field, ensuring their intensity didn’t drop even in the final session on Thursday evening.

Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann set the tone early, dismissing Sri Lankan opener Oshada Fernando in just the second over. Mitchell Starc then joined the party, reaching the milestone of 700 international wickets by removing Dimuth Karunaratne in the fifth over. Later, Nathan Lyon struck a crucial blow, dismissing Angelo Mathews—thanks to a breathtaking catch from Travis Head.

SL vs AUS, 1st Test Day 2 Report

Standing at short leg in the 10th over, Head reacted instinctively when Lyon got one to turn sharply, forcing Mathews into a defensive stroke off the front foot. The ball took the inside edge and flew up, giving Head only a split second to react. He launched himself into the air, diving full stretch to grab the ball with one hand in a spectacular display of reflexes.

Lyon was ecstatic, while Mathews was left in disbelief as Head confidently appealed for the catch. The on-field umpire wasted no time in raising his finger, giving the decision without even consulting the replays.

The Australians erupted in celebration, capping off an excellent day with another display of their fielding prowess.

Sri Lanka were reeling at 44 for 3 at the end of the day’s play, still trailing Australia by 610 runs.

Earlier in the day, Usman Khawaja converted his hundred into a double, becoming the first Australian batter to hit a double hundred in the island nation in Test cricket. Steve Smith, the stand-in captain, scored a daddy hundred, going past Sunil Gavaskar and Brian Lara in the list of batters with most hundreds in Test cricket.

There was more trouble for Sri Lanka as Josh Inglis smashed a 90-ball hundred, becoming the 21st Australian batter to hit a hundred on his Test debut.