Australia's Lyon says 'game even' at Galle
Australia's Nathan Lyon on Wednesday said the first Test is in the balance after his five-wicket haul helped bowl out Sri Lanka for 212, but the hosts hit back with three wickets on day one.
Steve Smith Sport News
Sri Lanka vs Australia, 1st Test, Day 1 Report: Sri Lanka Peg Back Australia After Nathan Lyon Five-For
Nathan Lyon's five-for helped Australia bowl out Sri Lanka for 212, before the hosts hit back with three wickets in a fast-moving opening Test on Wednesday. The tourists reached 98 for three at stumps after Sri Lankan spinner Ramesh Mendis struck twice, including David Warner's key wicket for 25, on a turning pitch at the picturesque Galle stadium. Steve Smith was run out on six after a mix up with opener Usman Khawaja, unbeaten on 47, and returned to the pavilion waving his hands in dismay.
1st Test: Australia 98-3 at stumps after Lyon mauls Sri Lanka on Day 1
Usman Khawaja rode his luck to an unbeaten 47, while Travis Head was on six at the close with Australia still 114 behind in what promises to be a low-scoring conTest. The tourists could have been in a better position but for two avoidable dismissals in the final session.
Pakistan Captain Babar Azam Continues T20I Rankings Reign, Surpasses Another Virat Kohli Landmark
Babar Azam is perhaps the most talked about cricketer in the recent months due to his superlative form with the bat in international cricket. While many former cricketers have argued that on current form he is perhaps the best batter in the world, others have spoken about expanding the 'Top 4' of international batting into a 'Top 5' to include Babar along with the likes of Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Steve Smith and Kane Williamson.
1st Test: Australia brace for trial by spin against Sri Lanka
The picturesque stadium, fringed on two sides by the Indian Ocean and adjacent to a 16th century Dutch-built fort, is where Sri Lankan spin stalwarts Muttiah Muralitharan and Rangana Herath routinely beguiled the touring batsmen. Led by man-of-the-series Herath in 2016, Sri Lanka's spinners claimed 54 of the 58 wickets on their way to a 3-0 rout of Steve Smith's team when Australia last visited. Australia's triumph in Pakistan earlier this year suggests they know what it takes to succeed in Asia, but their vulnerability against left-arm spin means the world's top-ranked Test team cannot take anything for granted.
Factbox-Cricket-Sri Lanka v Australia test series
(Reuters) - Factbox on the two-match test series between Sri Lanka and Australia, which begins in Galle on Wednesday:
Australia brace for trial by spin against Sri Lanka
COLOMBO : Australia can expect a trial by spin when Pat Cummins and his men lock horns with Sri Lanka in a two-test series in Galle beginning on Wednesday.
Pipa makes classy gesture with Steve Smith donation in emotional Huddersfield Town farewell
Pipa has farewell sent a message to Huddersfield Town fans after departing for Olympiacos and made a substantial donation to a fundraiser for former Terriers player and manager Steve Smith, who is battling late-stage dementia.