Rangana Herath spins Sri Lanka out of trouble

PHALLEKELE: Sri Lanka spinner Rangana Herath took four wickets to restrict Australia to 146 for six at lunch on Wednesday, with the visitors leading by just 29 runs on day two of the first Test.

Overnight batsmen Usman Khawaja (26) and Steve Smith (30) didn´t last long against Herath´s left-arm spin, as Australia faltered after starting the day 66 for two.

Adam Voges (41 not out) battled hard to establish a respectable lead for the visitors, with Steve O´Keefe (3 not out) at the other end.

Play had started early at Pallekele Stadium after rain had washed off the final session of the opening day after Sri Lanka had been bowled out for 117 inside 35 overs.

Brief Scores:

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

Australia 146-6 in 57 overs (Adam Voges 41 not out, Mitchell Marsh 31; Rangana Herath 4-35)