Australia have enforced the follow-on after ripping through Sri Lanka's tail early on day four of the first Test in Galle.

Australia. Dinesh Chandimal 3 (12) Angelo Mathews 7 (10) Sri Lanka. Todd Murphy 1/14 (3) Sri Lanka vs Australia Live Score: Australia. Angelo Ma

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,

The defending world champion Australians were closing in on a big win in Galle after enforcing the follow-on and reducing Sri Lanka to 75 for three in its second innings at lunch on the fourth day of the first cricket test on Saturday.

Australia strengthened their grip on the first Test in Galle with an eight-wicket session, having enforced the follow-on on Sri Lanka. The hosts could add only 29 runs to overnight total and folded for 165 before closing the morning session on Day 3 at 75/3 in their second innings - losing eight wickets overall for just 104 runs.

On the eve of this match, Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva bemoaned the fact the hosts were only scheduled to play four Tests this year.

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

Opener Usman Khawajas 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.

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.

Sri Lanka were on dire straits as they ended day two on 44 for three having faced 15 overs after Australia amassed a massive score of 654 for six declared in the first Test match played at the Galle International Stadium yesterday.

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.