GALLE: Kusal Mendis was left stranded on 85 as Australia wrapped up Sri Lanka’s first innings for 257 early on

Kusal Mendis has shown his Sri Lankan teammates how it's done. Only an absence of batting partners denied the tenacious No.7 an 11th Test century on the morning of the second day in the series finale against Australia.

(Reuters) – Australia's Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon claimed three wickets apiece but Kusal Mendis' battling half-century salvaged a difficult day one for Sri Lanka as they reached 229-9 in the second Test in Galle on Thursday. Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva won the toss and elected to bat.

After receiving a long guard of honour on his way to the crease, including from the Australians, Karunaratne combined well with Dinesh Chandimal in an unbroken 64-run stand as Sri Lanka reached lunch well placed at 87 for 1.

Kusal Mendis was left stranded on 85 as Australia wrapped up Sri Lanka's first innings for 257 early on day two of the second test in Galle on Friday.

Australia was firmly in control against Sri Lanka in the second test after reducing the host to 229-9 by stumps on day one Thursday. Half-centuries from Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis kept Sri Lanka in the game,