Australia cruised to 1-141 in reply to Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 355 at stumps on day two of the third Test.

Having lost David Warner (11) early, Australia rebuilt quickly, with Shaun Marsh (64) and Steve Smith (61) both scoring unbeaten half-centuries. Warner perished in the fourth over, caught behind off the bowling of Dhananjaya de Silva for 11.

Despite a five-wicket haul from Mitchell Starc, Sri Lanka posted an imposing first-innings total of 9-355, with de Silva (129) and Dinesh Chandimal (132) both scoring centuries, alongside a handy 33 from Rangana Herath who retired hurt after copping a Josh Hazlewood delivery in the crotch.

Herath’s injury ended a 73-run eighth-wicket stand and opened the floodgates for Australia’s frustrated attack, with Starc drawing an outside edge from Chandimal, ending the Sri Lankan’s 356-ball vigil. The quick then bounced out Suranga Lakmal (5) to wrap up Sri Lanka’s innings and his third five-wicket haul on the trot (5-63 off 25.1).

Earlier, Nathan Lyon removed de Silva for 129, having the 24-year-old caught at bat-pad, before Holland accounted for Dilruwan Perera (16).

The dismissal of de Silva ended a 211-run partnership with Chandimal that had rescued Sri Lanka from a position of serious strife on day one.