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.

Sri Lanka is 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 in Galle.

Australia dominate both bat and ball - Sri Lanka top order crumble in Galle Test. Most visited website in Sri Lanka.

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.

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.

Asitha Fernando is Sri Lanka's only quick, while Mitchell Starc will play that role for Australia with Beau Webster and Angelo Mathews expected to provide support

Australia’s batters have feasted on Sri Lanka’s bowling, racking up milestones and dominance on a rain-curtailed opening day of the first test in Galle.

Opener Usman Khawaja's first double century and a ton on debut by Josh Inglis helped Australia to 654-6 declared on day two of the first match against Sri Lanka on Thursday. The 38-year-old struck his 16th Test ton on day one and resumed on 147 before becoming the first Australian batsman to make a double ton in Sri Lanka.