Australia's batsmen were left to curse their inability to post a big score, but the world champions still appeared to have the upper hand in the first Test on an eventful second day against Sri Lanka. 
The tourists had built a lead of 86 by the time they were dismissed half an hour before tea on day two, having resumed at 2-66 with skipper Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja seemingly set for a big partnership. But it wasn't to be, as the Sri Lankans, led by four wickets apiece by veteran left-arm finger spinner Rangana Herath and debutant left-arm wrist-spinner Lakshan Sandakan, stormed back into the contest by claiming 4 wickets for 80 runs before lunch.
Adam Voges was the calming hand of the middle order but he, too, would have been frustrated by his dismissal just as he was on his way to what could have been a match-turning century at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
For the first time in their past eight Tests, not one of Australia's top four batsmen managed to notch a first-innings half-century. Along with Voges, allrounder Mitch Marsh was also guilty of squandering a healthy start.
Outside of Herath, the hosts may have an inexperienced bowling line-up but their willingness to fight was on show in front of another modest attendance.
The hustling Sandakan was impressive. He likes to push the ball through but also boasts a wrong-un which was hard to pick - as Marsh discovered. He shapes as a major threat as the series progresses.
Paceman Josh Hazlewood said after play on Tuesday that first-innings runs would be precious, so Australia's handy lead, particularly in lieu of how their opponents batted on day one, could ultimately prove to be pivotal. But the pitch, while taking turn, had yet to show any signs of crumbling.
Smith had wanted his men to be positive early in their innings. On Tuesday, he had the right balance, but his decision the morning after to charge Herath on the first ball he had faced from Sri Lanka's key weapon was one he would have regretted. It was all the more disconcerting for him as he missed what proved to be a straight delivery.
However, the hosts knew they needed more if they were to assert themselves. Herath obliged when he ripped a delivery into the pads of Khawaja, who was crease-bound and didn't even consider challenging the umpire's decision.