Angelo Mathews, Sri Lanka skipper, won the toss and elected to bat in the third Test. But like it has happened in the series, Australia took little time to get their first breakthrough. Kaushal Silva (above) departed after slashing at a wide delivery to slips.

Dhananjay de Silva and Dinesh Chandimal remained unbeaten in their 188-run stand to rescue Sri Lanka.

Nathan Lyon, who was introduced into the attack in the sixth over, troubled the Sri Lankan batsmen with turn and bounce. He scalped the wickets of Kusal Perera and Angelo Mathews.

Despite being in a precarious situation, Dhananjay de Silva didn't hold back im punishing the bad deliveries.

Allan Donald, Australia's bowling coach, looks on as Australia fail to pick a wicket in over six and a half hours of play. Never earlier in a series did a session go without a wicket falling. On Saturday, there were two such sessions.

Mitchell Starc ripped through the Sri Lankan top order with three wickets, leaving them reeling at 25 for 5. He accounted for the dismissals of Kaushal Silva, Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis.

Sri Lanka went to Stumps at 214 for 5, with Dinesh Chandimal (59 not out) and Dhananjaya de Silva (116 not out) at the crease.

Steve Smith was proactive with his captaincy. He shuffled his bowlers and changed the field setting time and again, but to no avail.

Dhananjaya de Silva celebrates after bringing up his maiden Test century. He was lucky to survive as he was reviewed thrice and dropped twice.