Dinesh Chandimal's unbeaten half-century and persistent rain in Galle delayed Australia's push for victory in the opening test against Sri Lanka on Friday. Only a 27-over session was possible on day three with Sri Lanka losing two wickets and slumping to 136-5 before rain stopped play.

GALLE: Australia’s momentum-filled bowling attack was left frustrated as the adamant rain washed out the final two sessions of the third day of their ongoing first Test against Sri Lanka here at the Galle International Stadium on Friday.

More forecast rain in Galle is all that stands between crumbling Sri Lanka and an embarrassing early defeat in the opening Test again.

Sri Lanka is staring down the barrel at 44-3 after Australia achieved its largest ever total in Asia — 654-6 declared — on day two of the first test in Galle.

Persistent rain halted the third day of the first Test between Australia and Sri Lanka, with Australia leading by a significant margin of 518 runs. Sri Lanka, struggling at 136-5 by lunch, saw Dinesh Chandimal fighting at 63 not out while Starc and Lyon kept up the pressure.

Rain ruined Australia’s hopes of moving in for the kill against Sri Lanka on day three of the first Test in Galle but

Australia maintained their dominance in Galle on the rain-hit Day 3 of the ongoing opening Test against Sri Lanka. The hosts were reduced to 136/5, trailing by a massive 518 runs, when rain interrupted play in the morning session. The inclement weather continued, entirely washing out the second and third sessions.

Australia has Sri Lanka three down after opener Usman Khawaja’s first double century and a ton on debut by Josh Inglis helped the tourists to 654-6 declared in the first match on Thursday.

Usman Khawaja’s double century, Josh Inglis’ debut hundred, and Steve Smith’s second test century in Galle propelled the visitors into a position of absolute command.