Dinesh Chandimal scored an unbeaten 63 as Sri Lanka struggled to 136 for five at lunch Friday in response to Australia’s imposing first innings of 654 for six declared. A rain-curtailed morning session on Day 3 of the first test did little to ease Sri Lanka's woes,

Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis were relieved by the sight of rain, with Sri Lanka being stopped at 136-5, trailing by 518 runs

Rain slows Australia's progress on day three of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle as only two wickets fall.

Incessant afternoon rain forced an early end to day three of the first Test between Australia and Sri Lanka on Friday, with the visitors leading by 518 and former home skipper Dinesh Chandimal waging a lone battle on 63.

More forecast rain in Galle is all that stands between crumbling Sri Lanka and an embarrassing early defeat in the opening Test again.

Australia has Sri Lanka three down after opener Usman Khawaja’s first double century and a ton on debut by Josh Inglis helped the tourists to 654-6 declared in the first match on Thursday.

Australia maintained their dominance in Galle on the rain-hit Day 3 of the ongoing opening Test against Sri Lanka. The hosts were reduced to 136/5, trailing by a massive 518 runs, when rain interrupted play in the morning session. The inclement weather continued, entirely washing out the second and third sessions.

Usman Khawaja’s double century, Josh Inglis’ debut hundred, and Steve Smith’s second test century in Galle propelled the visitors into a position of absolute command.

Australia's menacing attack was left frustrated after the final two sessions of day three were washed out as Sri Lanka had respite from a Galle surface starting to play tricks. Th