GALLE, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka was staring down the barrel at 44-3 after Australia achieved its largest ever total in Asia — 654-6 declared — on day two of the first test on Thursday. Fatigued after spending five and a half sessions under the scorching sun, Sri Lanka’s batting resistance was minimal.

Follow the LIVE Updates from Day 3 of the first Test between Sri Lanka and Australia being played at the Galle International Stadium.

Sri Lanka was staring down the barrel at 44-3 after Australia achieved its largest ever total in Asia – 654-6 declared – on day two of the first test on Thursday. Fatigued after spending five and a half sessions fielding under the scorching sun,

Rex Clementine in Galle Sri Lanka were in dire straits, having lost the cream of their batting lineup for peanuts and limped to 44 for three at stumps on day two, in reply to Australia’s mammoth first-innings total of 654 for six declared.

Khawaja's eight-hour-plus knock of 232 off 352 balls was historic — the first Australian to score a double hundred in Sri Lanka

Mitchell Starc achieved a significant milestone by taking the important wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne during the second innings of the first Test. This marked the 700th wicket of his international career across all formats.

Sonal Dinusha, a 24-year-old left-arm spinning allrounder, has been named in Sri Lanka's Test squad for the two-match series against Australia, which begins in Galle on January 29. Opening batter Lahiru Udara has also been been included,

Much like this tour, Australia's most recent Test tour to Sri Lanka contained two Tests, both in Galle. Australia won the first Test by 10 wickets before the hosts replied with an innings and 39-run victory. Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith both scored century in the latter, with Mitch Starc the best of the Aussie bowlers with 4-89.

Kuhnemann trapped Oshada Fernando (seven) lbw in the second over of the innings, while Starc removed fellow Dimuth Karunaratne (seven) shortly later thanks to a cracking catch from sub fielder Nathan McSweeney.

Australia had 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.

GALLE, Sri Lanka, Jan 30, (AP): Sri Lanka was staring down the barrel at 44-3 after Australia achieved its largest-ever total in Asia - 654-6 declared - on day two of the first test on Thursday. Fatigued after spending five and a half sessions fielding under the scorching sun, Sri Lanka’s batting resistance was minimal.

After what was a batting collapse on Day 2 for Sri Lanka, the home side will be looking to pose a better answer in front of the Australia bowling attack featuring the likes of Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon.