Colombo: A gritty century from Kaushal Silva gave Sri Lanka a commanding 288-run second innings lead on Tuesday, dimming Australia’s hopes of a consolation win in the third and final Test here at the Sinhalese Sports Club.
Sri Lanka, who are pushing for a rare series sweep after winning the first two Tests, were 312 for eight at stumps on the fourth day. First innings centurion Dhananjaya de Silva was unbeaten on 44 with Suranga Lakmal yet to get off the mark at stumps.
The day belonged to Silva, who batted with six stitches on the webbing of his little finger after injuring himself while fielding on Monday to make a composed 115. The 30-year-old, mixing dogged defence and controlled aggression, put together a crucial 90-run partnership with first-innings centurion Dinesh Chandimal to thwart the Australian attack.
Silva, who regularly received treatment for his injured left finger during breaks, reached his century with a boundary off Adam Voges as he burst into celebrations.
Off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who claimed four wickets, trapped Chandimal leg-before for 43 in the final session to break the stand.
Silva, who survived a leg-before appeal against Lyon after a successful umpire review in the first session, finally fell to the left-arm spin of Jon Holland in the 87th over. Australia made further inroads into the Sri Lankan line-up late in the day, but De Silva ensured that the hosts maintained their dominance in the match heading into the final day.
Earlier, Australia benefited from a review after Holland had Kusal Perera caught off a top edge that was safely pouched by wicketkeeper Peter Nevill.
Perera, who scored 24, was undone by a side angle replay after a front-on view had been inconclusive and the third umpire overturned the decision. Kusal Mendis hit a quickfire 18 off 14 balls with two sixes and a four. But his counter-attack was halted when he was trapped leg-before by Mitchell Starc, who has taken two wickets so far.
Sri Lanka, who resumed on 22 for one, quickly scored two runs to erase the 24-run first innings deficit.
Centuries from captain Steve Smith and Shaun Marsh had given Australia hope of a big first-innings lead on Monday, but their departure saw the visitors lose their last seven wickets for 104 runs.
(AGENCIES)
