Live Cricket Score of Sri Lanka vs Australia, 1st Test, Day 4 at Pallekele

Over three days of Test cricket, we have seen numerous sharp turns and dramatic twists of fortune. On Day 3, Kusal Mendis blended finesse and flamboyance in strokeplay to engineer a remarkable turnaround to prop up Sri Lanka's innings. More importantly, from a precariously placed 86/4, the hosts can now dream of pulling off a jailbreak. For most part of the first two days, Australia were in command, but Mendis has to an extent tilted the game in the home team's favour with his splendid exhibition of batsmanship.

Mendis cut, drove and swept the Australian attack to all parts of the ground. Those loud appeals from the close-in fielders and the worried look on Steve Smith's face gave an indication that the match was slipping away from Australia's grasp. The credit also has to go to Dinesh Chandimal (42) and Dhananjaya de Silva (36) for helping Mendis to string together decisive stands. Australia suffered a further blow when Steve O'Keefe tweaked his hamstring in the second session of Day 3.

The track seems to have slowed down a bit, but there is enough turn and uneven bounce for the spinners to play a major role. The visitors would aim to clean up Sri Lanka as soon as possible and hope to restrict them to a lead of around 250. On the other hand, if Mendis and the lower-order batsmen can add further 80 runs, Sri Lanka would fancy their chances of causing an upset.

On Day 3 too the final session was affected by rain and eventually, play was called off. Unfortunately, as per the weather forecast, a few showers are expected to play spoilsport today as well.

Unfortunately, the covers are firmly in place and the start of play has been delayed. It was drizzling in the morning, but it seems to have stopped. The umpires are out in the middle and are assessing the conditions. I have to say it looks rather gloomy. The good news is that the covers are slowly coming off now. Fingers crossed, play will start soon.