SL vs AUS | Twitter sympathizes as Lankan DRS reluctance gives freewheeling Head license to kill

A‌ustralia's opening stand of 92 on Day 1 at Galle International Cricket Stadium came at quicker than run-a-ball as Travis Head and Usman Khawaja took the Sri Lankan bowlers to the cleaners in the morning session. The former was especially destructive, smoking Asitha Fernando for three boundaries in the first over and adding two more off the pacer's third to race to 23 off 14 deliveries. However, for all the punishment, Asitha gave the hosts an elusive window of opportunity to get rid of the in-form batter but the Lions spurned it and paid the price.

On the final ball of the fifth over, Asitha steamed in from over the stumps and pitched the ball back of a length that slightly shaped inwards in the air to beat Head's attempted glance and rap him on the front pad. The fielding contingent immediately went up in loud appeal led by the bowler whose confidence kept him from even looking back at the umpire but the official remained unmoved, leaving DRS as the only alternative for the islanders. Yet, after an extended discussion, Dhananjaya de Silva opted not to go upstairs given the ball might have pitched outside leg albeit replays showed the wicket would have counted had the hosts shown more courage.

Renewed by his second chance, Head inevitably switched gears and stroked four boundaries in his next seven balls enroute to a fifty that set the tone for the entire game while giving Australia a brilliant foundation to build from, much to Twitterati's chagrin.

Head's luck strikes again!

Big miss by Sri Lanka!

What a player!

Head smashes fifty!

On Fire!

What a Knock!

Absolute beast!

Head’s blazing!

Travis Head!🔥

Great session!