Australia’s mood brightened considerably under clear skies in Galle as they resumed their complete dominance of the first Test with spinners Matthew Kunhnemann and Nathan Lyon running through a hapless Sri Lanka early on day four.

Sri Lanka lost 5 for 9 to be bowled out for 165 in their first innings just 45 minutes into the day’s play. With a lead of 489 runs and with his bowlers well rested, stand-in captain Steven Smith as expected decided to enforce the follow-on.

Kuhnemann celebrated his first Test match in almost two years with three wickets in the morning session to finish with 5 for 63, while Lyon took 3-57.

Apna Perera and Ashen Silva reached the men’s singles final of the CL Synergy SSC Open Tennis Championship as they secured semi-final victories at the SSC tennis courts on Friday.

While Apna beat Lithium Jayabandu in his match Ashen Silva beat Ganuka Fernando in his match.

Apna Perera

Rex Clementine in Galle

Only 27 overs of the scheduled 98 were possible on the third day of the first Test in Galle on Friday, but Australia tightened their grip on the contest, reducing Sri Lanka to 136 for five. Still trailing by a massive 518 runs, the visitors will be praying for the rain gods to come to their rescue over the next two days.

Resuming on a shaky 44 for three, Sri Lanka were dealt an early blow when Kamindu Mendis feathered one down the leg-side off Mitchell Starc.

Since his return to the side last year, Kamindu’s numbers had been Bradmanesque, earning him the ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year award. But cricket, as they say, is a great leveler, and in recent months, the runs have dried up.

Skipper Dhananjaya de Silva followed suit before lunch, undone by Matthew Kuhnemann’s guile. Attempting to take the left-arm spinner on, he charged down the track but found himself in no man’s land, stumped in rather tame fashion.

The Aussies have been meticulous in plotting their dismissals. From the Dutch Fort End, Starc roughed up the surface outside the right-hander’s off-stump, creating treacherous footholes. From the other end, Nathan Lyon was like a surgeon landing the ball precisely in those rough patches, making survival an ordeal for Sri Lanka’s batters.

Yet, amid the wreckage, Dinesh Chandimal stood tall, playing spin with soft hands, sharp footwork and a rock-solid defense. With little support from the other end, he farmed the strike smartly, picked the gaps, and notched up yet another half-century.

Since his elevation to number three last year, Chandimal has been Sri Lanka’s batting mainstay, averaging over 50. He remained unbeaten on 63, looking every bit the man for a crisis, well set for a big one.

With more rain expected on day four, a bit more grit from Sri Lanka’s batters could help them salvage a draw. But this pitch is no featherbed – spinners have plenty to work with, and batting through two days will be a tall order.

“It’ll be up to the captain and coach to decide whether to enforce the follow-on,” said Kuhnemann.

“They’ll get together tonight and come up with a plan for us tomorrow morning and we’ll go from there,” he added.

“Chandimal is batting beautifully at the moment. He played some lovely shots against all of us. It’s just whether or not we’re trying to block that boundary option for him and get him defending, get him out caught bat pad or slip.”