FOLLOW LIVE: Alex Carey, Steve Smith put Australia in commanding position over Sri Lanka ahead of day three
![Matt Kuhnemann celebrates his second wicket of the day.](https://images.thenightly.com.au/publication/C-17653712/48d5cedddd3d48c43cf3257f00602e839e0bb1bf-16x9-x251y173w1654h930.jpg?imwidth=810)
Australia took three late wickets on day three to keep Sri Lanka’s lead in check ahead of a huge day four tomorrow. Recap all the action in our blog.
ALL OUT
Matt Kuhnemann is the last wicket to fall and the Aussies are all out for 414.
They started day three on 3-330, losing 7-84 in less than two hours of play.
But batting is going to be very tough on this surface for Sri Lanka and the Aussies will be full of confidence.
Their lead stands at 157 at lunch.
ICYMI
Australia have not been able to cash in on their Cooper Connolly gamble during the 21-year-old’s first Test knock against Sri Lanka.
With only four first-class matches to his name, the batting allrounder was handed a whirlwind Test debut this week for the second and final match of the series.
Connolly had been brought in at the expense of frontline spinner Todd Murphy to boost Australia’s batting firepower on a pitch predicted to play plenty of tricks.
Another gone!
Beau Webster falls, bowled by Ramish Mendis (who gets his first) and Australia are still one run shy of a lead of 150.
The visitors are 9-406. Kuhnemann is at the crease.
Starc departs
Mitchell Starc falls for eight and the Aussies have just two wickets remaining.
It comes after the visitors limped over the 400-run mark, with a bit of luck in the last few overs. They’re just shy of a 149-run lead.
It’s not insurmountable but batting is becoming very tough on this wicket.
Oh no...
WA’s Cooper Connolly got runs on the board on debut with an aggresive sweep shot to the boundary to start.
But his attacking approach has cost him, getting a huge top edge that lands in the hands of the fielder at backward point.
He departs in disappointing fashion for just four runs.
Nishan Peiris gets his first wicket of the day and third of the Test.
Uh oh!
There’s a slight delay with some technical difficulties on the ground in Galle.
Apparently communications between the field umpires and the third umpire have failed.
Hopefully it can be sorted promptly.
Another wicket falls!
And it’s the big scalp of Alex Carey, who departs for 156.
Jayasuriya gets his third of the morning and Australia are stumbling at 5-373.
WA’s Cooper Connolly is at the crease!
150 up for Carey!
As wickets fall around him, Alex Carey raises the bat for 150 much-needed runs for Australia.
He’s at the crease with Beau Webster.
![GALLE, SRI LANKA - FEBRUARY 08: Alex Carey of Australia celebrates scoring his 150 runs during day three of the Second Test match in the series between Sri Lanka and Australia at Galle International Stadium on February 08, 2025 in Galle, Sri Lanka. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)](https://images.thenightly.com.au/publication/C-17653712/a384fd9f876ea701c4c1f5d8a2313a53a2bf6946.jpg?imwidth=810)
IN A FLASH
Josh Inglis is dismissed for a two-ball duck.
The first Test centurion finally made his way to the crease after battling back stiffness yesterday but his innings is over in a flash.
He chops it on to his stumps and it’s two in the over for Jayasuriya.
Australia are 5-350.
SMITH DEPARTS
And at last, the partnership falls.
A thick edge through to the keeper and Steve Smith is done for 131.
He raises the bat to the crowd as he crosses the boundary, his job is done.
And it’s Josh Inglis who comes to the crease!