Johannesburg: Wicketkeeper-batsman Kaushal Silva has called on Sri Lanka not to let Australia off the hook after guiding his side to a massive 288-run lead on Day four of the third and the final Test at Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo.
The 30-year-old, who batted with six stitches in his little finger after injuring himself while fielding a day before, smashed a blistering 115-run knock to put his side in a driver’s seat on Tuesday.
While urging his side to score as much as they could, Silva revealed that the strategy is to notch up big second-innings total in order to throw Australia out of the game, Sport24 reported.
In addition to a century, Silva also shared a crucial 90-run partnership with the other first innings century-maker Dinesh Chandimal to thwart the Australia’s bowling attack.
Silva said that although he initially felt tough to bat with the injured finger, his plan to focus only on balls that were coming into him turned out to be in his favour.
At stumps, Sri Lanka were at 312 for eight in their second innings, with Dhananjaya de Silva remaining unbeaten at 44.
Earlier, veteran spinner Rangana Herath led the Sri Lanka’s attack from front as he snared six wickets to bundle out Australia for 379 in response to the hosts’ first innings total of 355.
Sri Lanka, who have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead against the Steve Smith-led side, are aiming to register their first whitewash against a major team since gaining Test status in 1981.(ANI)