Debutants strike as Aussies fight back

GALLE: Australian bowling debutants Trent Copeland and Nathan Lyon made dramatic starts to pin Sri Lanka down in the first cricket Test in Galle on Thursday.

The tourists, who were restricted to 273 in their first innings, reduced Sri Lanka to 54-3 in 30 overs by lunch on the second day at the Galle International Stadium.

Off-spinner Lyon claimed a wicket with his first delivery in Test cricket and seamer Copeland struck with his second ball as the dusty, two-paced wicket continued to make batting difficult.

At lunch, opener Tharanga Paranavitana was unbeaten on 17 and Thilan Samaraweera was on seven with Sri Lanka still 219 runs behind with seven wickets in hand.

Copeland, asked to share the new ball with Ryan Harris ahead of the experienced Mitchell Johnson, saw his first delivery hit for a boundary before the second fetched him a wicket.

Sri Lankan captain Tillakaratne Dilshan, who had disdainfully smacked the first ball to the cover fence, attempted a similar shot off the next, but found Ricky Ponting standing in the way.

The 36-year-old former captain dived to his right at short cover to snare a brilliant catch.

Paranavitana and Kumar Sangakkara plodded to 24-1 in 15 overs when skipper Michael Clarke brought Lyon into the attack.

The 23-year-old struck immediately as Sangakkara edged the first ball towards the slips where Clarke dived to his left to take a low catch.

Lyon, who served on the Adelaide Oval groundstaff till a year ago, was considered a surprise selection for the tour after playing just four first-class matches.

Australia's new boys continued to prosper, with Copeland running out star Sri Lanka batsman Mahela Jayawardena for 11 with some smart work at point.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011