Australia hits back with Marsh, Smith fifties

Shaun Marsh and Steve Smith dug deep to bring Australia back into the third Test on day two against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

The partnership ended with Herath retiring hurt after suffering a body blow against paceman Josh Hazlewood. That he has dismissed opener Dimuth Karunaratne five times in as many innings is a testament to the hold he has had on the locals. “I said when we got to No.1 we had seven retirements recently and they were a big part of why we got to No.1”, he said.

“He, obviously, hasn’t got the rewards that he probably deserves, the way that he has bowled”.

“He’s dropped his arm path a little bit since being here”.

Starc said the tourists had learnt how mentally to handle the demanding conditions better. The Lankans could still make a comeback in the game.

“All their bowlers bowled well, that is why they are number one”.

Captain Steve Smith introduced off-spinner Nathan Lyon in the sixth over with the pitch at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground already providing some assistance to the spinners and was rewarded with two wickets.

In form: Australia’s Mitchell Starc.

Chandimal and Suranga Lakmal quickly fell to Starc, whose impressive return to the Test arena continued with a third five-for of the series.

“We have spoken about it and our batsmen have all got their plans to come out in this Test match and hopefully bat long for periods”.

Australian skipper Steven Smith (left) and Shaun Marsh in a conversation during the innings at Colombo.

Smith in particular has used his feet against the spinners. The two batted well even after a brief rain spell in the afternoon session to frustrate the Australian bowlers.

Bradman also played in that match.

Marsh was nearly caught and run out off one Herath delivery after the veteran returned to the field and the opener was relieved to see two edges fall short of the slips.

But Burns and Khawaja are set to be firmly in the frame when Australia’s home campaign begins against South Africa in Perth in November. The West Australian can also bat down the order. “We are waiting on Adam Voges who has some issues with his hamstring from the last game, so we will see how it goes”, Smith said. “So for us we haven’t been good enough on these wickets so far”. The only other instance came in the 1938 Ashes at the Oval when Joe Hardstaff (jnr) faced exactly 400 balls in England’s first innings at the Oval.

“For us it’s just to keep going the way we were in that last session and not being too aggressive but just staying positive”.