In pictures: Mitchell Starc puts Australia on the front foot in the second Test against Sri Lanka

☰

Videos Live Scores Podcasts Opinion Interviews Business of Sport Inside Story Football Cricket Tennis Formula One Golf NBA UFC UAE Racquet Sports Fitness

In pictures: Mitchell Starc puts Australia on the front foot in the second Test against Sri Lanka

Mitchell Starc struck early for Australia as he dismissed Dimuth Karunaratne for a golden duck.

After Starc got rid of Kaushal Silva as well, Kusal Mendis made a stand.

Kusal Perera supported him in a 108-run partnership.

Perera looked in good nick but fell a run short of his half century.

Angelo Mathews however picked up from where his teammate left off.

Starc bagged the crucial wicket of Mendis for 86.

Thereafter, the lower order didn't put up much of a fight.

Mitchell Marsh got rid off Mathews for 54.

Starc finished with figures of 5/44.

Vishwa Fernando picked up Joe Burns' wicket.

David Warner got off to a good start before falling for 42.

In pictures: Mitchell Starc puts Australia on the front foot in the second Test against Sri Lanka

Sport360 staff

16:10 04/08/2016

Australian pacer Mitchell Starc toiled hard against Sri Lanka’s top order on Thursday to leave bowl out the hosts for 281 on the opening day of the second Test in Galle.

Sri Lanka were looking confident after Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera’s 108-run stand, but their departure after lunch saw the hosts in some trouble.

Skipper Angelo Mathews’ knock of 54 then ensured Sri Lanka stay in the hunt after electing to bat first on a bright sunny day. But the lower order failed to put up a fight.

Starc (5-44), who marked the day with his 100th Test wicket, denied first-match centurion Mendis his second consecutive ton after getting the in-form batsman caught behind for 86.

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon got the first wicket of the afternoon session after sending Perera (49) trudging back to the pavilion.

Earlier Mendis’ 137-ball stay was laced with 10 fours and two sixes as he entertained a lively home crowd at the Galle International Stadium.

Australia lost Joe Burns early on for nought before David Warner’s dismissal for 42 to brought an end to the day’s play with the visitors at 54/2, trailing by 227 runs.