SL v AUS: Honours even as Rangana Herath 6-for nullifies Steve Smith, Shaun Marsh centuries

Sri Lanka's bowler Rangana Herath, right bottom, unsuccessfully appeals for the wicket of Australia's Mitchell Marsh during the third day of their third test cricket match in Colombo, Sri Lanka. (AP)

COLOMBO: Rangana Herath took six wickets for his 25th five-wicket haul in test cricket as Australia slumped from 267-1 to 379 all out in its first innings on the third day of the third cricket test against Sri Lanka on Monday.

Night watchman Dilruwan Perera was lbw to Mitchell Starc for eight in the five overs before stumps as Sri Lanka reached 22-1, trailing by two runs.

After a dominant morning session Australia could manage only a 24-run first innings lead in reply to Sri Lanka's first innings score of 355.

Overnight batsmen opener Shaun Marsh and captain Steve Smith scored centuries in the morning as they added 94 runs to their teams' overnight score of 141-1. They shared 246 runs for the second wicket after David Warner (11) had been dismissed with the total on 21 on the second day.

Marsh scored 130 for his fourth test hundred which came off 281 balls, including 19 boundaries and Smith — who averages close to 60 in test cricket — made 119, his 15th test century. Smith hit a six and 10 boundaries.

Sri Lanka took the new ball after lunch with Australia on 257-1 and seamer Suranga Lakmal soon bowled out Marsh off the inside edge to end a stubborn stand that lasted nearly five hours and for 473 deliveries.

Then, Herath lured Smith outside the crease and he was stumped by Kusal Perera.

The inexperienced Moises Henriques departed in a similar stumping for four as Australia went to tea at 316-4.

Six wickets fell in the final session and Marsh's younger brother Mitchell Marsh scored 53, while the impressive Herath returned 6-81.

Sri Lanka has an unbeatable 2-0 series lead in the three-match series.

BRIEF SCORES

Sri Lanka: 355 and 22 for 1 (Karunaratne 8*, Silva 6*) trail Australia: 379 (S Marsh 130, Smith 119, M Marsh 53, Herath 6-81) by 2 runs.