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.

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.

Khawaja’s 266-run third-wicket partnership with Steve Smith, who hit 141 in a landmark innings that got the stand-in skipper to 10,000 Test runs, stood out after Australia elected to bat first at the start of the two-match series.

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,

Usman Khawaja's double hundred and twin centuries from Steve Smith and Josh Inglis helped Australia take complete control over Australia on Day 2 of the Test match.

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.

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.

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.

The rainy weather conditions have given Australia a selection problem for the opening test against Sri Lanka starting Wednesday, although one thing seems certain: Travis Head will open the batting

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.