Australia are Fighting to Stay at No.1 Test Spot

Colombo test proved to be a blessing for both the fans as well as the pundits as they seen some exciting cricket in the first three days of the final and 3^rd test between Sri Lanka and Australia. 

For the first time in the series after the 3^rd day, no team can call themselves that they have the upper hand in this test as the match is evenly poised after the 3^rd day. Australia fighting hard to not let them white wash and ended the series at 3-0. Also they must have to win this test match in order to stay in the 1^st spot at the ICC test ranking, otherwise, it will be either India or Pakistan, who claim the No. 1 ranking. 

Third day of the test match was a handy one for both the teams. Captain Steve Smith and Shaun Marsh both scored hundred and they are the only two Aussies in this series to score a century. Their 246-runs partnership for the second wicket was impeccable today. 

Rangana Herath’s magic works on a very perfect time as he bags six wickets for 81 runs, makes his tally of 21 wickets in this series. Mitchell Marsh’s handy fifty helps Australia to take the 1^st innings lead of 24 runs before being bowled out for 379.

 At the end of the 3^rd days played, Sri Lanka were 22/1, behind Australia by 2 runs only. They change the opening partners because their top order was struggled throughout the series, as they again failed in the 2^nd innings when Dimuth Karunaratne back to the pavilion after score reached not even reached the double figures. The score was eight when Mitchell Starc struck the first wicket and believe it or not, this 8-runs opening stand are Sri Lanka’s highest in this 3-match series. 

Smith and Marsh scored 119 and 130 respectively as both contributed 246 runs and this partnership of 246 is the fourth-highest stand for any Australian pair for any wicket in a test in Asia.

 Once the partnership was broken, wickets started to fall more freely. Australia last nine wickets tumbled for only 112 runs as no single player except Mitchell Marsh sustain Herath’s magic.

It is obvious that the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy will be presented to Angelo Mathews no matter what happens in this test, Australia at least reduced the chance of a whitewash and at the end of the days play, no team have the upper hand.

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