Australian cricket
Khawaja and Starc return to form as Australia tighten noose in Test
Sri Lanka’s openers, Karunaratne and Thirimanne, survived some nervy moments after Australia set the tourists an improbable 516 for victory
Usman Khawaja found his scoring touch and fast bowler Mitchell Starc returned to his fiery best as Australia moved within sight of victory in the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Manuka Oval on Sunday. After Australia, on course for a first series win since beating England early in 2018, set the tourists an improbable 516 for victory openers Dimuth Karunaratne and Lahiru Thirimanne survived some nervy moments to take Sri Lanka to 17 before bad light ended the third day’s play. Sri Lanka bowling coach Rumesh Ratnayake said his side have to take it “stage by stage, session by session”. “The boys are aware that they have to break it down into portions and take it hourly and try to bat as positive as they could,” he said. Starc picked up his 10th five-wicket haul, and his first since his 5/34 against SA in Durban in March 2018, as Australia bundled out Sri Lanka for 215 to take a first-innings lead of 319. Australia, who won the opening Test in Brisbane by an innings and 40 runs, di...
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