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.

Dinesh Chandimal’s unbeaten half-century and persistent rain in Galle delayed Australia’s push for victory in the opening Test against Sri Lanka on Friday.

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.

GALLE: Sri Lanka’s Dinesh Chandimal was waging a lone battle on 63 with Australia ahead by 518 runs and tightening their grip on the first Test before rain forced early lunch Friday. The hosts were 136-5 by the first break on day three in Galle with wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis also at the crease on 10 after losing two more wickets overnight.

Australia’s mood brightened considerably under clear skies in Galle as they resumed their complete dominance of the first Test with spinners Matthew Kunhnemann and Nathan Lyon running through a hapless Sri Lanka early on day four.

Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis were relieved by the sight of rain, with Sri Lanka being stopped at 136-5, trailing by 518 runs

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Sri Lanka were staring down the barrel of their worst-ever Test defeat Saturday after Australia enforced the follow-on and made early inroads, dismissing their top three batters before lunch on day four.

Dinesh Chandimal's unbeaten half-century and persistent rain in Galle delayed Australia's push for victory in the opening test against Sri Lanka on Friday. Only a 27-over session was possible on day three with Sri Lanka losing two wickets and slumping to 136-5 before rain stopped play.

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

Sri Lanka face a mountain to avoid the follow-on despite the controlled aggression of Dinesh Chandimal as Australia’s new-look attack threaten on a Galle surface starting to play tricks on day three.