Mendis gives SL edge
Half centuries from the in-form Kusal Mendis and skipper Angelo Mathews gave Sri Lanka the edge over Australia on the opening day of the second Test Thursday despite a five-wicket haul from Mitchell Starc.
Mendis followed up his maiden century in the first Test with a top score of 86 in Galle as Sri Lanka posted a total of 281 in their first innings before then grabbing two early wickets during the tourists' response.
Australia were 54 for two at stumps, still trailing the hosts by 227 runs in what is a must-win match for Steve Smith's side after they lost the first Test last weekend in Pallekele.
Vice captain David Warner was out in the last ball of the day when he edged Dilruwan Perera to slip after making a quickfire 42 off just 41 balls, an innings which included seven fours.
SCORES IN BRIEF
SRI LANKA: First innings 281 all out (K Perera 49, Mendis 86, Mathews 54, De Silva 37; Starc 5-44)
AUSTRALIA: First innings 54 for 2 (Warner 42, Khawaja 11 not out; Fernando 1-16, D Perera 1-14)
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