Joe Burns and Travis Head plundered Australia's first centuries of the home summer Friday in a stirring fightback as they ruthlessly exposed Sri Lanka's inexperienced attack in the second Test at Canberra.

Australian skipper Tim Paine won the toss at the Manuka Oval and put his side in on a flat track conducive to batting, a gambit that paid off after some early wobbles.

At stumps, they were a commanding 384 for four with Burns not out 172 and Kurtis Patterson, who was dropped first ball, on 25.

Head fell for 161 after a 308-run stand with Burns -- Australia's first stand over 200 since Steve Smith and Mitch Marsh achieved the feat in the third Test against England in December 2017.

Vishwa Fernando was the best of the bowlers with 3-99.

On a cool, overcast day, Burns and Head dug Australia out of a hole after they lost Marcus Harris, Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne cheaply to be in trouble at 28 for three.

After weathering the storm and as the new ball lost its shine, the pair started cashing in on a Sri Lankan attack missing their top bowlers and fieldsmen who put down a host of chances.

Back in the side after being overlooked for the series against Pakistan and India, opener Burns survived a dropped catch on 34, but was otherwise invincible and brought up his fourth Test ton off 147 balls with a single.

His 172 surpassed his previous high score of 170 against New Zealand in 2016.

Burns' knock was the first century for Australia since Khawaja's 141 against Pakistan in Dubai in October and only the second an Australian has scored since the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney almost 13 months ago.

Vice-captain Head soon followed suit, reaching his maiden hundred off 155 balls in his eighth Test with a boundary, capitalising on Dilruwan Perera dropping him on 87.&nbsp;

It puts the pair in prime position to be selected for the Ashes series later this year, with the Canberra Test -- the first-ever in the nation's capital -- Australia's last before their tour of England.&nbsp;

Dire start

Their partnership followed a dire start against a depleted attack and a team they had beaten by an innings and 40 runs in the first Test at Brisbane.

Pace duo Lahiru Kumara and Dushmantha Chameera picked up injuries in that rout, with the inexperienced Kasun Rajitha and Fernando taking their place.

And in a big blow, Suranga Lakmal, their best bowler in Brisbane, was ruled out on the morning of the Test with a stiff back, with debutant Chamika Karunaratne brought in as his replacement.

The three newcomers have only five Tests of experience between them, and they initially rose to the challenge.

Harris fell for 11 in the fourth over with a poorly executed square drive off Fernando caught at point by Karunarante.

The out-of-form Khawaja soon followed, lasting just three balls before offering a lazy jab at an out-swinger from Fernando. He was caught at slip by Kusal Mendis for nought, leaving Australia on 15 for two.

The gloom continued when Karunaratne struck with his fourth ball in Test cricket, removing Labuschagne with an excellent angled delivery for six, caught off a thick edge by Niroshan Dickwella.

Burns watched the carnage at the other end and dug in, playing only the loose balls as he bided his time and waited for the bowlers to wilt.

Head followed a similar pattern with both men accelerating the run rate once the pressure of scoring centuries was past. Head was finally undone by Fernando, who snared him lbw.

Joe Burns and Travis Head plundered Australia's first centuries of the home summer Friday in a stirring fightback as they ruthlessly exposed Sri Lanka's inexperienced attack in the second Test at Canberra.

Joe Burns and Travis Head plundered Australia's first centuries of the home summer Friday in a stirring fightback as they ruthlessly exposed Sri Lanka's inexperienced attack in the second Test at Canberra. Australian skipper Tim Paine won the toss at the Manuka Oval and put his side in on a flat track conducive to batting, a gambit that paid off after some early wobbles. At stumps, they were a commanding 384 for four with Burns not out 172 and Kurtis Patterson, who was dropped first ball, on 25. Head fell for 161 after a 308-run stand with Burns -- Australia's first stand over 200 since Steve Smith and Mitch Marsh achieved the feat in the third Test against England in December 2017. Vishwa Fernando was the best of the bowlers with 3-99. On a cool, overcast day, Burns and Head dug Australia out of a hole after they lost Marcus Harris, Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne cheaply to be in trouble at 28 for three. After weathering the storm and as the new ball lost its shine, the pair started cashing in on a Sri Lankan attack missing their top bowlers and fieldsmen who put down a host of chances. Back in the side after being overlooked for the series against Pakistan and India, opener Burns survived a dropped catch on 34, but was otherwise invincible and brought up his fourth Test ton off 147 balls with a single. His 172 surpassed his previous high score of 170 against New Zealand in 2016. Burns' knock was the first century for Australia since Khawaja's 141 against Pakistan in Dubai in October and only the second an Australian has scored since the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney almost 13 months ago. Vice-captain Head soon followed suit, reaching his maiden hundred off 155 balls in his eighth Test with a boundary, capitalising on Dilruwan Perera dropping him on 87. It puts the pair in prime position to be selected for the Ashes series later this year, with the Canberra Test -- the first-ever in the nation's capital -- Australia's last before their tour of England. Dire start Their partnership followed a dire start against a depleted attack and a team they had beaten by an innings and 40 runs in the first Test at Brisbane. Pace duo Lahiru Kumara and Dushmantha Chameera picked up injuries in that rout, with the inexperienced Kasun Rajitha and Fernando taking their place. And in a big blow, Suranga Lakmal, their best bowler in Brisbane, was ruled out on the morning of the Test with a stiff back, with debutant Chamika Karunaratne brought in as his replacement. The three newcomers have only five Tests of experience between them, and they initially rose to the challenge. Harris fell for 11 in the fourth over with a poorly executed square drive off Fernando caught at point by Karunarante. The out-of-form Khawaja soon followed, lasting just three balls before offering a lazy jab at an out-swinger from Fernando. He was caught at slip by Kusal Mendis for nought, leaving Australia on 15 for two. The gloom continued when Karunaratne struck with his fourth ball in Test cricket, removing Labuschagne with an excellent angled delivery for six, caught off a thick edge by Niroshan Dickwella. Burns watched the carnage at the other end and dug in, playing only the loose balls as he bided his time and waited for the bowlers to wilt. Head followed a similar pattern with both men accelerating the run rate once the pressure of scoring centuries was past. Head was finally undone by Fernando, who snared him lbw.

AUSvsSL, 2nd Test: Joe Burns, Travis Head put Australia in control against Sri Lanka

Australia added uncapped all-rounder Marcus Stoinis to their squad for the second Test against Sri Lanka and released opener Matt Renshaw for Big Bash League duty, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Saturday.

Australia crushed Sri Lanka by an innings and 40 runs inside three days in the day-night Test in Brisbane on Saturday to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

"We made the decision to add Marcus to give us the flexibility to play an all-rounder in the event the conditions require an extra bowling option in the lineup," national selector Trevor Hohns said in a statement.

Stoinis has played 24 one-day internationals and 17 Twenty20 internationals for Australia but is yet to make his Test debut.

The 29-year-old has scored 298 runs, including three half-centuries, and claimed 10 wickets in four Sheffield Shield matches in the 2018-19 season for Western Australia.

"Marcus has been a consistent performer this season, he's displayed strong all-round form in first-class cricket and continued that form into the Australian ODI series against India," Hohns added.

Meanwhile, Renshaw, who missed the first Test, will link up with his Brisbane Heat teammates for their upcoming Big Bash League fixtures.

The second Test begins on February 2 at Manuka Oval in Canberra.

Australia added uncapped all-rounder Marcus Stoinis to their squad for the second Test against Sri Lanka and released opener Matt Renshaw for Big Bash League duty, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Saturday.

Australia added uncapped all-rounder Marcus Stoinis to their squad for the second Test against Sri Lanka and released opener Matt Renshaw for Big Bash League duty, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Saturday. Australia crushed Sri Lanka by an innings and 40 runs inside three days in the day-night Test in Brisbane on Saturday to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. "We made the decision to add Marcus to give us the flexibility to play an all-rounder in the event the conditions require an extra bowling option in the lineup," national selector Trevor Hohns said in a statement. Stoinis has played 24 one-day internationals and 17 Twenty20 internationals for Australia but is yet to make his Test debut. The 29-year-old has scored 298 runs, including three half-centuries, and claimed 10 wickets in four Sheffield Shield matches in the 2018-19 season for Western Australia. "Marcus has been a consistent performer this season, he's displayed strong all-round form in first-class cricket and continued that form into the Australian ODI series against India," Hohns added. Meanwhile, Renshaw, who missed the first Test, will link up with his Brisbane Heat teammates for their upcoming Big Bash League fixtures. The second Test begins on February 2 at Manuka Oval in Canberra.

Australia call up uncapped Marcus Stoinis for second Sri Lanka Test

Pat Cummins took a career-best 6-23 to help Australia crush Sri Lanka by an innings and 40 runs inside three days in the series opening day-night Test in Brisbane on Saturday.

The paceman completed his maiden 10-wicket match haul as Australia bundled out Sri Lanka for 139, five fewer than the tourists had managed in their first innings, to register only their second Test win of the summer at the Gabba.

Jhye Richardson claimed two-second innings wickets in his impressive debut with Australia comfortably maintaining their record of not having lost a Test at the Gabba since 1988.

Resuming at 17-1 Saturday, Sri Lanka’s hopes of saving the match were dealt a heavy blow when Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis fell in consecutive overs from Cummins at the start of the day.

After taking a wicket with the final ball of day two, it took Cummins just two balls on day three to get his next wicket, squaring-up the scoreless Chandimal and finding the edge which ballooned to Kurtis Patterson at gully.

In his next over, Cummins teased an attempted drive from Mendis (one), who edged to Joe Burns at second slip.

Lahiru Thirimanne (32) and Roshen Silva (three) briefly stemmed the flow of wickets, before Cummins got his fourth, having Silva caught by Burns in the slips to reduce the tourists to 35-4.

Right on tea, Richardson produced a fast yorker to bowl Dhananjaya de Silva for 14.

Cummins got a deserved fifth wicket but in controversial circumstances when he had Thirimanne adjudged caught behind, a decision upheld by the TV umpire despite no conclusive evidence Thirimanne had edged the ball.

Niroshan Dickwella tried one attacking shot too many off Richardson and holed out to Marcus Harris at square leg, before Cummins’ sixth wicket came from a spectacular catch by Patterson at gully off Dilruwan Perera.

Suranga Lakmal was last man out when he was stumped by Tim Paine for Nathan Lyon’s only wicket of the innings.

Lahiru Kumara did not bat after Sri Lanka team management confirmed Saturday the paceman had torn his hamstring during the second day and is likely to be unavailable for the second Test at Canberra’s Manuka Oval beginning on Friday.

Pat Cummins took a career-best 6-23 to help Australia crush Sri Lanka by an innings and 40 runs inside three days in the series opening day-night Test in Brisbane on Saturday.

Pat Cummins took a career-best 6-23 to help Australia crush Sri Lanka by an innings and 40 runs inside three days in the series opening day-night Test in Brisbane on Saturday. The paceman completed his maiden 10-wicket match haul as Australia bundled out Sri Lanka for 139, five fewer than the tourists had managed in their first innings, to register only their second Test win of the summer at the Gabba. Jhye Richardson claimed two-second innings wickets in his impressive debut with Australia comfortably maintaining their record of not having lost a Test at the Gabba since 1988. Resuming at 17-1 Saturday, Sri Lanka’s hopes of saving the match were dealt a heavy blow when Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis fell in consecutive overs from Cummins at the start of the day. After taking a wicket with the final ball of day two, it took Cummins just two balls on day three to get his next wicket, squaring-up the scoreless Chandimal and finding the edge which ballooned to Kurtis Patterson at gully. In his next over, Cummins teased an attempted drive from Mendis (one), who edged to Joe Burns at second slip. Lahiru Thirimanne (32) and Roshen Silva (three) briefly stemmed the flow of wickets, before Cummins got his fourth, having Silva caught by Burns in the slips to reduce the tourists to 35-4. Right on tea, Richardson produced a fast yorker to bowl Dhananjaya de Silva for 14. Cummins got a deserved fifth wicket but in controversial circumstances when he had Thirimanne adjudged caught behind, a decision upheld by the TV umpire despite no conclusive evidence Thirimanne had edged the ball. Niroshan Dickwella tried one attacking shot too many off Richardson and holed out to Marcus Harris at square leg, before Cummins’ sixth wicket came from a spectacular catch by Patterson at gully off Dilruwan Perera. Suranga Lakmal was last man out when he was stumped by Tim Paine for Nathan Lyon’s only wicket of the innings. Lahiru Kumara did not bat after Sri Lanka team management confirmed Saturday the paceman had torn his hamstring during the second day and is likely to be unavailable for the second Test at Canberra’s Manuka Oval beginning on Friday.

Australia crush Sri Lanka by innings and 40 runs in 1st Test

Dilruwan Perera ripped the heart out of the Australian order to spin Sri Lanka to a series-clinching 229-run victory inside three days of the second test at Galle today. 
 
The 34-year-old off-spinner laid bare Australia&#39;s spin frailties, claiming 6-70 as the world&#39;s top ranked test team folded for 183 in their pursuit of an improbable 413-run victory target. 
 
Perera, who had claimed 4-29 in the first innings and scored 64 in his team&#39;s second innings, became the first Sri Lankan player to score a fifty and claim 10 wickets in the same match as his side clinched their first test series victory over Australia since 1999. 
 
Resuming on 25 for three, Australia captain Steve Smith (30) and deputy David Warner (41) showed positive intent, frequently using their feet against the spinners and dealing mostly in boundaries even though it was merely delaying what looked inevitable. 
 
Perera separated them, trapping Warner leg-before with a straight delivery. The batsman reviewed the decision but could not get it overturned. 
 
The spinner then returned to induce Smith into giving a bat-pad catch to Kusal Mendis at forward short leg. 
 
Perera, whose all-round performance earned the man-of-the-match award, completed his five-wicket haul when Adam Voges (28) attempted a reverse sweep only to have his leg stump pegged back. 
 
Kusal Mendis then displayed tremendous reflexes as he stopped a Peter Nevill shot at forward short leg and flicked it back on the stumps to run out the batsman and trigger wild celebrations at the Galle International Stadium. 
 
(Reuters)

Sri Lanka clinched their first test series victory over Australia since 1999

Dilruwan Perera ripped the heart out of the Australian order to spin Sri Lanka to a series-clinching 229-run victory inside three days of the second test at Galle today. The 34-year-old off-spinner laid bare Australia's spin frailties, claiming 6-70 as the world's top ranked test team folded for 183 in their pursuit of an improbable 413-run victory target. Perera, who had claimed 4-29 in the first innings and scored 64 in his team's second innings, became the first Sri Lankan player to score a fifty and claim 10 wickets in the same match as his side clinched their first test series victory over Australia since 1999. Resuming on 25 for three, Australia captain Steve Smith (30) and deputy David Warner (41) showed positive intent, frequently using their feet against the spinners and dealing mostly in boundaries even though it was merely delaying what looked inevitable. Perera separated them, trapping Warner leg-before with a straight delivery. The batsman reviewed the decision but could not get it overturned. The spinner then returned to induce Smith into giving a bat-pad catch to Kusal Mendis at forward short leg. Perera, whose all-round performance earned the man-of-the-match award, completed his five-wicket haul when Adam Voges (28) attempted a reverse sweep only to have his leg stump pegged back. Kusal Mendis then displayed tremendous reflexes as he stopped a Peter Nevill shot at forward short leg and flicked it back on the stumps to run out the batsman and trigger wild celebrations at the Galle International Stadium. (Reuters)

Perera spins Sri Lanka to historic win against Australia

Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath claimed his maiden test hat-trick to consign Australia to their lowest total against Sri Lanka today as the hosts put themselves in a commanding position for a series-clinching victory at Galle. 
 
As many as 11 wickets fell in the dramatic morning session of the second day&#39;s play as Australia, resuming on 54-2, collapsed for 106 runs to concede a 175-run first innings lead. 
 
Sri Lanka lost three wickets before lunch but recovered to reach 143-6 at tea, leading Australia by 318 runs with four wickets in hand. 
 
Dhanajaya de Silva (19) and Dilruwan Perera (12) will return after the break, hoping to bat Australia out of the match as Sri Lanka close in on their second win in the three-test series. 
 
Herath had tormented Australia in the first test at Pallekele too, exposing their vulnerability against spin bowling and claiming nine wickets in Sri Lanka&#39;s 106-run victory. 
 
The 38-year-old haunted them again today, castling captain Steve Smith for five runs with the first delivery of his third over. 
 
He ripped the heart out of Australia&#39;s batting in his eventful seventh over, getting Adam Voges caught at extra cover with his fourth delivery and trapping Peter Nevill plumb in front with an arm ball. 
 
Herath struck Starc&#39;s pad with his next delivery but the leg-before appeal was turned down. After a brief chat with the spinner, home captain Angelo Mathews decided to review the decision and Herath, who claimed 4-35, was mobbed by team mates as the not-out decision was overturned. 
 
Off-spinner Perera mopped the tail to finish with 4-29 as Australia folded inside 34 overs. 
 
Sri Lanka got off to a shaky start and for the second time in the match, Kusal Mendis walked out to bat with his team reeling at nine for two. 
 
Mendis, the architect of Sri Lanka&#39;s Pallekele win and their top-scorer in the first innings, however, made only seven runs before Starc sent him back. 
 
The left-arm paceman returned figures of 3-33 to go with the five wickets he had claimed in the first innings but Kusal Perera (35) and Mathews (47) ensured Sri Lanka earned a big lead in the bowler-dominated contest. 
 
(Reuters)

Sri Lanka lost three wickets before lunch but recovered to reach 143-6 at tea, leading Australia by 318 runs with four wickets in hand

Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath claimed his maiden test hat-trick to consign Australia to their lowest total against Sri Lanka today as the hosts put themselves in a commanding position for a series-clinching victory at Galle. As many as 11 wickets fell in the dramatic morning session of the second day's play as Australia, resuming on 54-2, collapsed for 106 runs to concede a 175-run first innings lead. Sri Lanka lost three wickets before lunch but recovered to reach 143-6 at tea, leading Australia by 318 runs with four wickets in hand. Dhanajaya de Silva (19) and Dilruwan Perera (12) will return after the break, hoping to bat Australia out of the match as Sri Lanka close in on their second win in the three-test series. Herath had tormented Australia in the first test at Pallekele too, exposing their vulnerability against spin bowling and claiming nine wickets in Sri Lanka's 106-run victory. The 38-year-old haunted them again today, castling captain Steve Smith for five runs with the first delivery of his third over. He ripped the heart out of Australia's batting in his eventful seventh over, getting Adam Voges caught at extra cover with his fourth delivery and trapping Peter Nevill plumb in front with an arm ball. Herath struck Starc's pad with his next delivery but the leg-before appeal was turned down. After a brief chat with the spinner, home captain Angelo Mathews decided to review the decision and Herath, who claimed 4-35, was mobbed by team mates as the not-out decision was overturned. Off-spinner Perera mopped the tail to finish with 4-29 as Australia folded inside 34 overs. Sri Lanka got off to a shaky start and for the second time in the match, Kusal Mendis walked out to bat with his team reeling at nine for two. Mendis, the architect of Sri Lanka's Pallekele win and their top-scorer in the first innings, however, made only seven runs before Starc sent him back. The left-arm paceman returned figures of 3-33 to go with the five wickets he had claimed in the first innings but Kusal Perera (35) and Mathews (47) ensured Sri Lanka earned a big lead in the bowler-dominated contest. (Reuters)

Herath hat-trick wrecks Australia, Sri Lanka in charge

Australian pacer Mitchell Starc toiled hard against Sri Lanka&#39;s top order today to leave the hosts on 216 for five at tea on the opening day of the second Test in Galle. 
 
Sri Lanka were looking confident after Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera&#39;s 108-run stand, but their departure after lunch saw the hosts in some trouble. 
 
Skipper Angelo Mathews, with his unbeaten 49, then ensured Sri Lanka stay in the hunt after electing to bat first on a bright sunny day. 
 
He has Dhanajaya de Silva (9 not out) for company. 
 
Starc (3-44), who marked the day with his 100th Test wicket, denied first-match centurion Mendis his second consecutive ton after getting the in-form batsman caught behind for 86. 
 
Off-spinner Nathan Lyon got the first wicket of the afternoon session after sending Perera (49) trudging back to the pavilion. 
 
Mathews came to the crease with a positive mindset as he made the reverse-sweep his stock shot against Lyon. His 55-ball stay was laced with two fours and three sixes. 
 
Earlier Mendis 137-ball stay was laced with 10 fours and two sixes as he entertained a lively home crowd at the Galle International Stadium. 
 
(AFP)

Skipper Angelo Mathews, with his unbeaten 49, ensured Sri Lanka stay in the hunt after electing to bat first

Australian pacer Mitchell Starc toiled hard against Sri Lanka's top order today to leave the hosts on 216 for five at tea on the opening day of the second Test in Galle. Sri Lanka were looking confident after Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera's 108-run stand, but their departure after lunch saw the hosts in some trouble. Skipper Angelo Mathews, with his unbeaten 49, then ensured Sri Lanka stay in the hunt after electing to bat first on a bright sunny day. He has Dhanajaya de Silva (9 not out) for company. Starc (3-44), who marked the day with his 100th Test wicket, denied first-match centurion Mendis his second consecutive ton after getting the in-form batsman caught behind for 86. Off-spinner Nathan Lyon got the first wicket of the afternoon session after sending Perera (49) trudging back to the pavilion. Mathews came to the crease with a positive mindset as he made the reverse-sweep his stock shot against Lyon. His 55-ball stay was laced with two fours and three sixes. Earlier Mendis 137-ball stay was laced with 10 fours and two sixes as he entertained a lively home crowd at the Galle International Stadium. (AFP)

Aussie bowlers chip away against Sri Lanka