Sri Lanka vs Australia, 2nd Test Day 4, Live Score Updates

The hopes largely rest on the shoulders of the well set and an able batter in Kusal Mendis. While the scorecard shows two wickets remaining, make no mistake, Sri Lanka are still not completely dashed out of the game. Kusal has been a savior for them many a time, but this time, he will need to masterfully shepherd the tail while keeping the scoreboard moving. Australia, on the other hand, has a straightforward morning agenda - strike early, restrict the target, and set themselves up for what they'll hope to be a straightforward chase. Or are we in for some thrill in Galle? The first hour will be crucial for both sides. Sit back, and relax as the first ball is a few minutes away.

With just two wickets remaining and a slender lead of 54 runs in the bank, Sri Lanka find themselves walking a tightrope on Day 4. While there's abundant time left in the Test, their immediate priority must be avoiding a sub-100 target - a scenario that would virtually hand the match to Australia. True, the deteriorating pitch has made batting increasingly challenging, but a target of around 150 could still inject some intrigue into this contest as the last thing Australia would want is a chase of that magnitude, especially in the fourth innings.

What started as Australia's march towards an imposing 250-plus lead took an unexpected turn on Day 3, as they tumbled from a strong 350/3 to 414 all out within a rapid spell under 25 overs. Yet, the 157-run cushion proved more than handy as Australia's bowling unit, spearheaded by the spin twins Matthew Kuhnemann and Nathan Lyon, methodically dismantled Sri Lanka's batting resolve. With Beau Webster providing valuable support and captain Steven Smith pulling all the right tactical strings, these efforts were well complemented by brilliance on the field as well. Had Mitchell Starc been fit and available, who knows, this game might have ended on Saturday itself.

Even in the face of early setbacks, Sri Lanka's batting showcased moments of real resilience, particularly through the veteran Angelo Mathews who proved yet again why he's been the team's backbone for over a decade. After the wobble at 81/4, Mathews orchestrated a remarkable recovery, crafting three vital partnerships that breathed life into the Lankan innings - first building a solid 40+ run stand with the promising Kamindu Mendis, then replicating that effort with captain Dhananjaya de Silva, before joining forces with the Kusal Mendis to further steady the ship. But it was all about staying there in the middle for longer periods of time and shrinking the lead with maximum wickets remaining in hand, which, in fact, didn't happen, as wickets fell in procession and Sri Lanka further slipped down from 198/5 to 211/8.

Cricket's fascinating narrative of 'what could have been' is playing out in this Test match, where despite Australia's commanding position, Sri Lanka's performance has been far from poor. While the scoreboard might paint a picture of Australian dominance, it's been those crucial clusters of wickets, those brief but decisive passages of play that have really spelled the difference between the two sides. The brilliance was evident in Prabath Jayasuriya's masterful spell during the first session on Day 3, where he broke Australia's remaining batting lineup, but unfortunately for the hosts, their batting couldn't quite capitalize on that bowling effort, falling prey to untimely wickets that have left them staring at a challenging day ahead.

Hello and welcome to what could be a defining day of cricket in this second Test of the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy 2025! As the sun rises on Day 4, Australia stand tall with victory in their sights. This Test has well and truly raced along at breakneck speed. Sri Lanka find themselves with their backs against the wall and they'll need something truly spectacular, perhaps a dash of that subcontinental magic, to prevent the Aussies from wrapping this up today.

... DAY 4, SESSION 1 ...

Sri Lanka are effectively 54/8 and we still call this Test match at an interesting phase. Why so? Because we are not at the 'Gabba. Nor at the 'G. This is Galle and anything is possible here. Giving reference to that 2009 Test match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, the visitors were 71/2 at Stumps on Day 3, chasing 168. Only to lose 8/46 on Day 4. It was Rangana Herath then. It could be Prabath Jayasuriya here. It might seem that the Lankans are up against it but as long as Kusal Mendis is out there in the middle, anything is possible. If he manages to hang in for an hour on Sunday or even more, that lead could swell past 100 and perhaps even get to 150. And given that Galle's Day 4 pitch does not seem too good for batters, the Aussies will be hoping to pick up the remaining two wickets quickly. The first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 4.30 am GMT on Sunday, 9th February, 2025 but our buildup will begin a lot sooner. So do tune in earlier. In the meantime, you can catch all the action from the first match between Pakistan and New Zealand in Lahore, in the ODI triseries in Pakistan and also the one-off Test between Zimbabwe and Ireland. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Here's Matthew Kuhnemann up for a chat with the broadcasters. Kuhnemann says that it was nice to finish things on a high at the end of the day. Adds that Angelo Mathews was batting so well and thus it was important to take his wicket on Day 3 itself. Further says that it was a rewarding day for his team and he is very happy. Mentions that Nathan Lyon bowled really well and he acknowledges the fact that he is the highest wicket-taker of the series. Honestly admits that he has been watching Prabath Jayasuriya bowl and trying to learn from him. Concludes that the game is not over yet and Australia still need to take the remaining two wickets, adding that it won’t be an easy chase but he hopes that the batters will win it for their team.

Australia seemed satisfied at the end of the day with their efforts but they were not so happy with an hour to go in the day's play. With Angelo Mathews looking strong and Kusal Mendis looking to attack, Steven Smith was getting wary of the lead swelling and frustration was writ large on almost everyone's faces. But as always, fielding lifts Australia up and a few stunning catches - Beau Webster to dismiss Dinesh Chandimal, Steven Smith to dismiss Dhananjaya de Silva and Webster again (though contentious), to dismiss Mathews just showed why Australia tend to believe that can turn things around despite being behind in the game. The usual suspects - Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann - bowled clinically, with 7 wickets between them but Mitchell Starc's absence hurt Australia. He was not 100 percent and hence bowled only 4 overs in the day and that put a lot of pressure on Lyon and Kuhnemann. But towards the end, Webster gave the Aussies some thrill with a couple of really good overs, claiming a wicket as well.

Cricket is more of a mental game than a technical one. If you believe, you can achieve, Sri Lanka started the day with Australia staring at probably 450, 500 from 330/3. But they bowled as a unit to dismiss the visiting side for 414 from there with Prabath Jayasuriya getting another 5-fer. Then, despite a poor start against the new ball, the middle order hung in and has kept this Test match interesting.

Having mentioned what we did in the previous paragraph, kudos to Sri Lanka for coming out fighting. They looked down and out at 39/3, but then the middle order fought back valiantly. Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, skipper Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis showed that they are not here just to take part in the Test match. They are here to win at their fortress. Once the ball went past the 30-over mark, it became softer and easier to score and the Lankans made the most of that chance. 113 runs were scored in that final session, in 29.1 overs. Just that they lost two wickets too many in 4. They would have taken it with 6 down at Stumps, albeit with Mathews' dismissal but those two extra ones just dented what has been a wonderful day for the Lankans.

Wow. What a manic last half hour. It is said that the last few minutes of the day are always tricky for batters. With 6 overs left in the day, Sri Lanka were coasting along at 198/5. Suddenly, Angelo Mathews tries to be a bit more adventurous and throws his wicket away, though that was still a contentious call to not have that catch checked. And the next thing you know, the Lankans slip to 211/8. They have lost their last 3 wickets for 13 runs in the span of 31 balls.

The camera pans on Smith and the umpires possibly ask him a question. Do Australia want to take the extra half hour? Is there a possibility of a finish tonight? Smith has a ponder but then realizes oh hang on, this is not the possibility of an innings defeat. Australia need to chase down runs as well. Denies the offer and takes his players off the field, patting them on the back, with a big smile on his face.

Into the last over of the day then. And Webster will finish things off. Nope. A last-minute change. Matthew Kuhnemann will bowl. 20-4-52-3 so far.