Unheralded Australia debutant Nathan Lyon took a stunning 5-34, including a wicket with his first ball, as Sri Lanka’s batsmen capitulated in the dramatic first Test in Galle yesterday.
Sixteen wickets fell on the dusty, deteriorating track during an eventful second day’s play that ended with the tourists enjoying a commanding lead of 283 runs with four wickets in hand.
Seamer Shane Watson claimed three wickets in 10 balls and another newcomer, Trent Copeland, struck in his first over as Australia, restricted to 273 on the first day, skittled Sri Lanka out for 105 by tea.
Coming in for their second innings, Australia also found runs hard to come by, collapsing to 115-6 when bad light forced stumps to be drawn.
Off-spinner Lyon never looked back after removing Kumar Sangakkara with his first delivery in Test cricket — the first Australia bowler in 117 years to achieve the feat.
Brought on after the morning drinks break, the 23-year-old had Sangakkara edging the first ball toward the slips where Clarke dived to his left to take a low catch.
Lyon, who served on the Adelaide Oval groundstaff until a year ago, then ran through the tail to justify his much-criticized selection for the tour after just four first-class matches.
He is only the 14th bowler in history to take a wicket with his first ball in Test cricket, and the second Australian since Arthur Coningham did it against England in 1894.
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