INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Herath and Sandakan adapt to present circumstances 

Australia snatched a 86-run lead in the main innings over Sri Lanka and managed an early blow with the new ball before downpour washed out the whole last session for the second successive day in the principal Test here on Wednesday. 

The host, packaged out for 117 in the principal innings, lost opener Kusal Perera to quick bowler Mitchell Starc when downpour constrained an early tea and in the long run the second day's play was canceled with Sri Lanka still 80 keeps running behind in a bowler-overwhelmed first match of the three-Test arrangement. 

Prior, the twist team of veteran Rangana Herath and debutant Lakshan Sandakan similarly shared eight wickets to keep Sri Lanka in the challenge in spite of the capitulation in the primary innings. 

Continuing on 66 for two, Australia lost the overnight batsmen to Herath, who had stopped restricted over cricket in April to concentrate on the longest configuration of the diversion. 

Australia captain Steve Smith (30) discarded his wicket in the second over, moving down the track to attempt and trudge the left-arm spinner just to miss the line and be confused. 

Herath came back to release Usman Khawaja (26) in his next over, catching him leg-before with a turning conveyance. 

Adam Voges (47) survived a vociferous leg-before offer off the main conveyance he confronted from Herath yet went ahead to make the most astounding individual score so far in what seems, by all accounts, to be a low-scoring match. 

Mitchell Marsh (31) ran hard amongst wickets and grabbed five limits before turning out to be left-arm chinaman bowler Sandakan's lady Test casualty. 

Paceman Nuwan Pradeep guaranteed the essential wicket of Voges before the spinners wrapped up the innings.