After an embarrassing defeat by an innings and 242 runs in the first test against Australia, Sri Lanka is hungry to bounce back in Galle and level the two-match series.

Former Sri Lanka test skipper Dimuth Karunaratne will retire from the format after his 100th match, the final test of Sri Lanka's two-test series against Australia in Galle on Thursday.

In the lead-up to the second Test in Galle, Dimuth Karunaratne confirmed he would call time on his glittering career, having captained Sri Lanka between 2019 and 2023, overseeing 30 Tests

Dimuth Karunaratne strode to the crease to start his 100th and last test match after Sri Lanka won the toss Thursday and elected to bat against Australia. After an embarrassing defeat by an innings and 242 runs in the first test – Sri Lanka’s worst loss in test cricket – the hosts made three lineup changes in a bid to bounce back in Galle and level the two-match series.

Sri Lanka produced a vastly improved batting display in the second cricket test against Australia on Thursday, reaching 87 for one at lunch on the first day after electing to bat. Following heavy criticism after its heaviest defeat in test history last week,

Australia is firmly in control against Sri Lanka in the second test in Galle after reducing the host to 229-9 by stumps on day one. Half-centuries from Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis have kept Sri Lanka in the game but their hopes of a big first-innings total after winning the toss did not materialize.