Cricket: Mendis' 86 Keeps Sri Lanka In Hunt

PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th july,2016) - Kusal Mendis struck an unbeaten 86 to help Sri Lanka reach 116 for four at lunch against Australia as the hosts took a 30-run second innings lead on Day 3 of the first Test in Pallekele on Thursday.

Mendis, who notched up his second Test fifty and the first in the game so far, stitched a 41-run partnership with skipper Angelo Mathews (9) after Lanka lost two early wickets in the opening session. Aussie pace spearhead Mitchell Starc gave the visitors their first breakthrough on Thursday morning to bag two wickets so far as spinners Steve O'Keefe and Nathan Lyon took one each. Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 117 and 116-4 in 38 overs (Kusal Mendis 86 not out, Dinesh Chandimal 7 not out; Mitchell Starc 2-28) Australia 203 all out in 79.2 overs (Adam Voges 47; Rangana Herath 4-49, Lakshan Sandakan 4-58)