Pacer Mitchell Starc stars as Aussies dominate Day 1 against SL

Galle: Mitchell Starc claimed a five-wicket haul and the best bowling figures by a visiting seamer as Australia dismissed hosts Sri Lanka for 281 on Day One of the second Test here yesterday.

Australia pacer Mitchell Starc (centre) celebrates the wicket of SL's Dimuth Karunaratne (right) with teammates in Galle yesterday. Pic/AFP

Starc struck with the first ball of the match and finished with five for 44 and his 100th Test wicket, before Sri Lanka hit back to leave Australia to resume their first innings on 54 for two today.

They trail Sri Lanka by 227 runs with Joe Burns (nought) and David Warner (42) the men out to leave the visitors under pressure to avoid a second straight Test defeat on a pitch that encourages spin.

After Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat, Australia's bowling - largely owing to Starc - impressed. He struck immediately with Dimuth Karunaratne out for a golden duck before Kaushal Silva (five) was caught behind to leave the hosts reeling on nine for two.

Sri Lanka responded with a stand of 108 runs between top-scorer Kusal Mendis (86) and Kusal Perera (49) before the latter was caught by Steven Smith off the bowling of Nathan Lyon.

Angelo Mathews was the next man in and scored 54 as Sri Lanka began to regain momentum but then Mendis was caught behind off Starc to become his 100th Test victim. Dinesh Chandimal (five) was swiftly removed by Josh Hazlewood and Mathews was dismissed by Mitchell Marsh.

Brief scores
Sri Lanka 281 (K Mendis 86, A Mathews 54, K Perera 49; M Starc 5-44, N Lyon 2-78) vs Australia 54-2 (D Warner 42; D Perera 1-14, V Fernando 1-16)