Roots of 'reality check' found in crucial day two lapse

Most who attended an unforgettable Galle Test for reasons both cricket and non-cricket related would not likely be able to recall, off the tops of their heads, precisely what had happened on the morning of day two.

In fact, the on-field contest on Saturday morning had been wholly overshadowed by the seaside ground being encircled by peaceful protesters who had been stopped from travelling to Colombo where demonstrations forced the resignation of the country's president and prime minster.

They were significant events acknowledged by Australia’s captain Pat Cummins, who is the face of a UNICEF appeal aimed at increasing Sri Lankan children's access to basic services amid the country's economic crisis.

But from a cricket perspective, what proved significant from that day to an Australian team still finding their feet on the subcontinent was the surrender of their final five first-innings wickets for only 35 runs.

It was a gift of unquantifiable value given Steve Smith was unbeaten on 145no at the other end and had not offered a chance through more than six hours of batting.

Even after their rapid submission 48 hours later that is sure to raise familiar questions of how the Aussies play spin, Cummins looked back at the initial collapse that saw his side fold for a sub-par 364 as a turning point in their first Test defeat under his captaincy.

"That was probably an opportunity missed," Cummins said on Monday after sharing the series trophy with his counterpart Dimuth Karunaratne.

"The way we set up the game day one, hoping to get 400-plus, which history suggests here puts you in a really good position.

"Unfortunately none of us hung around with Smithy long enough to get up to the 400-plus, which would have meant even if we were out there for 180 overs you were kind of level (after both teams had batted)."

The value of tail-end runs – or just tail-end staying power – was magnified further as Dinesh Chandimal added 145 runs with only the side's bowlers for company at the other end on Monday.

It saw Sri Lanka's tally swell to 554, 39 more runs in one innings than what Australia could manage in two.

The whole experience also holds big-picture lessons for an Australian side that still sees their four-Test trip to India next year as a subcontinental holy grail.

The sight of Smith chatting to Niroshan Dickwella and impressive debutant Kamindu Mendis, and veterans Usman Khawaja and Angelo Mathews also picking each other's brains, before the post-series presentation, suggested Australia remain eager to learn from their subcontinental foes.

"We'll review this series, try to put away lots of notes and ideas, then bank that, put that to one side and work towards the home summer," said Cummins, whose next Test assignment will come against South Africa and West Indies at home.

"In Australia most likely you only play one spinner, so in the background you're trying to prepare a couple of other guys so they get the chance over in India.

"The last two tours we've learned a heap, we've come a long way in how we've played and try to park that to one side and try to re-remember it in six months."

For Cummins, he feels he now better understands the rhythms of cricket in Asia after his side notched a 1-0 win over Pakistan earlier this year, and is adamant one loss has not undone their improvements.

Image Id: CA2E2363F41E4D36AB3AFC43F675F65D Image Caption: Cummins and Karunaratne share the Warne-Muralidaran Trophy // Getty

"It's a good reality check for people touring over here that it's really hard," said Cummins, who also oversaw the 10-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first Test. "So many positives out of last week that we did find methods that work, and one small hiccup doesn't mean you have to change everything."

In his mind, having Nathan Lyon in his side is his major drawcard from a bowling perspective, with Australia of the belief he was unfortunate to not have taken more than the two wickets he finished with in the second Test from a marathon 64-over spell.

Only three Australians have sent down more deliveries in a Test innings since the introduction of six-ball overs.

Cummins may also draw on his previous experience in India five years ago, when the prospect of him playing regular Test cricket was no guarantee, let alone the thought of him captaining the side.

In fact his first Test back after his six-year injury-laden break could have been something of a blueprint for a team that was on the ropes after their Chandimal-induced beating on day four.

That 2017 Test against India in Ranchi had, until the start of the third innings, followed a similar path to this latest one in Galle.

In that match, Smith had also been left stranded without any further batting partners after a stellar ton (178no). The Aussies had also failed to make enough first-innings runs (451), their opponents had piled on a massive reply led by a double-century maker (Cheteshwar Pujara scoring 202 out of India's 9-603 dec.), while their spinner also sent down a record number of overs (Stephen O'Keefe, with 77).

That Australia had added 120 runs for the final five wickets after the loss of Glenn Maxwell (for his only Test ton) proved a significant advantage for their batters when it came to successfully hanging on for a draw in that instance.

"(Bowling) 180 overs out here, it happens quite a bit overseas," Cummins noted when asked about what he has learned about captaincy abroad.

"Field placements and using the spin bowlers, I hadn't had a lot of experience with that. And just managing the tempo and even the bowlers spells, managing different bowlers, trying to keep a relative control on the scoreboard and scoring rate.

"I felt like I learned (a lot) … just trying to get that little bit better at everything you're trying to do.

"We'll sit down and review it and look at different areas and maybe tactics, but I think it's those methods which might be quite different to back home, and trying to be good enough overseas."

Qantas Tour of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Test squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Dinesh Chandimal, Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana, Lakshitha Manasinghe, Dunith Wellalage, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lakshan Sandakan

Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Jon Holland, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner. Standby players: Matthew Kuhnemann, Todd Murphy

June 29 - July 3: Australia won by 10 wickets

July 8-12: Sri Lanka won by an innings and 39 runs

Sri Lanka v Australia Test matches will be screened live on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports