Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith steer Aussies to 66-2 at tea

PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka: Australia were 66 for two in response to Sri Lanka´s 117 all out at tea on the opening day of the first Test in Pallekele on Tuesday.

Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith stitched together an unbeaten 59-run third-wicket partnership after the visitors lost openers David Warner (0) and Joe Burns (3) early.

Sri Lanka´s Nuwan Pradeep and Rangana Herath shared one wicket each after their batsmen lost the plot to Australian bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon who picked up three wickets each.

The visitors trail Sri Lanka by 51 runs in the first innings.

Brief Scores:

Australia 1st innings (Usman Khawaja 25 not out, Steven Smith 28 not out; Nuwan Pradeep 1-3, Rangana Herath 1-15)

Sri Lanka 117 all out in 34.2 overs (Dhananjaya de Silva 24; Josh Hazlewood 3-21, Nathan Lyon 3-12)