Pallekele Test: Australia bundle out Lanka for 117 on rain-curtailed opening day

Pallekele, July 26 (ANI): Australia on Tuesday came it with a splendid bowling performance to dismiss Sri Lanka for a mere 117 on an eventful first day of the opening Test of the three-match series against Sri Lanka here at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood and off-spinner Nathan Lyon both ripped off the Lanka's brittle batting line up and claimed three wickets apiece, while Mitchell Starc and Steve O'Keefe picked up two each to put the home side on the back foot on the very first day . Dhananjaya de Silva (24) was the lone Sri Lankan batsmen who stayed for a while on the pitch for the hosts. However, Australia too did not have a great start as they lost both their openers with seven runs on the board. Usman Khawaja and skipper Steve Smith anchored Australia's innings to 66 for two at tea after which rain washed away the entire third session. After losing openers David Warner and Joe Burns, Khawaja (25) and Smith (28) steadied the ship for Australia by sharing a modest 59-run unbeaten stand for third wicket. Khawaja and Smith will now aim to continue their unbeaten partnership when they come to bat on the field on the second day. Earlier, Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews won the toss and opted to bat on a dry pitch. (ANI)