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Australian player Nathan Lyon delivered a record-breaking spin performance as Australia dominated Sri Lanka on Day 4 of the first Test in Galle.
According to media reports, Australia declared their first innings at a massive 654/6, leaving Sri Lanka with a daunting challenge. By the second session on Day 4, Sri Lanka were struggling at 75/3 in their second innings, still trailing by 414 runs.
Lyon, along with Matt Kuhnemann, played a key role in dismantling Sri Lanka’s batting lineup. Kuhnemann claimed a five-wicket haul (5-63), while Lyon took three wickets in the first innings, becoming the first spinner and only the second bowler overall to reach 200 wickets in the World Test Championship (WTC).
Lyon also surpassed Shane Warne’s record for the most Test wickets by an Australian in Sri Lanka, taking his tally to 38, one more than Warne. Australia enforced the follow-on after securing a massive 489-run first-innings lead, their largest since 2003.
Usman Khawaja led Australia’s batting with a brilliant 232 off 352 balls, while Steven Smith (141) and Josh Inglis (102) added valuable runs. Travis Head provided a late flourish with a quick 57 off 40 balls.
Sri Lanka’s innings collapsed from 5-136 to 165 all out, with Dinesh Chandimal (72) offering the only real resistance before falling to Lyon. Enforcing the follow-on for the first time since 2010, Australia’s bowlers made early inroads, with Mitchell Starc and Todd Murphy striking in Sri Lanka’s second innings.
With Lyon’s record-breaking performance and Australia’s spinners in top form, victory now seems inevitable.
