Steve Smith, the captain, and veteran Usman Khawaja worked together to limit the damage before Khawaja’s 36-run comeback ended their 54-run partnership for the third wicket. After that, the bowlers from Sri Lanka had a difficult time because Smith and Alex Carey, the wicketkeeper-batter, showed them no compassion. The pair attacked the loose balls with maximum authority and continued to see off the good deliveries.
Day 2 of the second and final Test match between Australia (AUS) and Sri Lanka (SL) continued at Galle International Stadium. Australia bowled the island nation out on Day 2 in nearly eight overs after they had concluded Day 1 at 229/9. Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne were the visitors’ first two quick wickets as they started their batting. When they returned to the hut, they had each scored four and twenty-one runs.
Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, and Nishan Peiris were the hosts’ main spinners. Together, Dhananjaya de Silva’s three bowled 65 overs. Jayasuriya took the brunt of the punches, bowling 25 bowlers and giving up 107 runs while taking out Labuschagne. Peiris became ineffectual in the remaining periods after dismissing Head and Khawaja, the other two hitters.
In relation to Steve Smith and Carey, they had an incredible 239-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
By the end of Day 2, both batters are undefeated at 120 and 139 runs, respectively. With this, Australia has a 73-run advantage over Sri Lanka after their first innings. Smith mentioned his 17th century as captain and his 36th century in Test cricket. In addition, this was his seventh century in Asia in Test cricket. Carey, however, reached his second Test tonne.
Here’s how the fans reacted to Day 2 of SL vs AUS second Test:
MOST HUNDREDS IN TEST HISTORY:
1) Sachin Tendulkar – 51
2) Jacques Kallis – 45
3) Ricky Ponting – 41
4) Kumar Sangakkara – 38
5) Steve Smith, Rahul Dravid & Joe Root – 36#ElonMusk #SachinTendulkar#stevesmith #SLvsAUS #tatil #DelhiElection2025 pic.twitter.com/s1vhGS8Bp2— YOGENDRA SINGH (@syogendra806) February 7, 2025
Today is the 15th time Australia has hit the 200-run partnership in Asia for any wicket. 7th time against Sri Lanka.#SLvAUS #SLvsAUS #AUSvsSL
— Vishwesh Gaur (@iumvishwesh) February 7, 2025
Australia has been magnificent.
But this by SL is the most insipid fielding and bowling display I’ve seen since the first test match between Sri Lanka and Australia in Galle in 2025.#SLvsAUS
— Paul Dennett (@PaulDennett_) February 7, 2025
That’s the difference between Australia and England :
On a tough turning pitch, agnst quality spinners, Aus gets reduced to 94/3 n then what happens? They not only withstood d pressure but also fought back with proper technique n temperament to be 304*/3
(1/2)#SLvsAUS— Ambika (@apmahapatra) February 7, 2025
Steve Smith reaches his 36th Test century, equaling Joe Root and Rahul Dravid. It’s his fourth century in the last five matches and his seventh in Asia—the most by any Australian. A true modern-day great in red-ball cricket!#SLvsAus#SteveSmith pic.twitter.com/hRFfPwL3AC
— Srinath Roychowdhury (@SrinathRoychow1) February 7, 2025
The master of the bat scores yet another pugnacious century ! Take a bow Steve Smith ! @stevesmith49 @CricketAus #SLvsAUS pic.twitter.com/M1aPHIo2iR
— Sanjit Misra (@sanjitmisra) February 7, 2025
SL losing this by an innings as well for sure.
Very poor by them#SLvsAUS
— Vishal Chandnani (@c91557280) February 7, 2025
Fab 4 Test centuries at 2021 start:
1. Virat Kohli – 27.
2. Steven Smith – 26.
3. Kane Williamson – 24.
4. Joe Root – 17.Fab 4 Test centuries now:
1. Joe Root – 36*
2. Smith – 36*.
3. Williamson – 33.
4. Kohli – 30.#Cricket #SLvsAUS pic.twitter.com/4es9IZH28s— Rohit Baliyan (@rohit_balyan) February 7, 2025
Oh my darling Smithyy♥️♥️♥️
Back to style
@stevesmith49 #SLvsAUS
— Dharshana (@Dharsh_2020) February 7, 2025
Steve Smith and Alex Carey put Australia in the driving seat as second day’s play comes to an end in Galle
#WTC25 | #SLvAUS
: https://t.co/PVPw6kEWQP pic.twitter.com/9U88ovSAwV
— ICC (@ICC) February 7, 2025
Great work done by both batsmen #SLvsAUS
— Mirza
(@akhterify) February 7, 2025
Alex carry might not have staggering stats or number but this guy always rise up in difficult stage whether wtc final crucial knock or 98* in nz . Massively underappreciated!#SLvsAUS
— Sabin kc (@sabinkc705) February 7, 2025
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