GALLE: Half centuries from the in-form Kusal Mendis and skipper Angelo Mathews gave Sri Lanka the edge over Australia on the opening day of the second Test Thursday despite a five-wicket haul from Mitchell Starc.

Mendis followed up his maiden century in the first Test with a top score of 86 in Galle as Sri Lanka posted a total of 281 in their first innings before then grabbing two early wickets during the tourists' response.

Australia were 54 for two at stumps, still trailing the hosts by 227 runs in what is a must-win match for Steve Smith's side after they lost the first Test last weekend in Pallekele.

Mendis was once again the standout batsman for Sri Lanka, sharing a 108-run third wicket stand with Kusal Perera to get the hosts' innings back on track after losing two early wickets.

His 137-ball knock was laced with 10 fours and two sixes as he entertained a lively home crowd at the Galle International Stadium.

But he became Starc's 100th victim in Test cricket when he was caught by the wicketkeeper Peter Nevill with the score at 184-4.

Having already accounted for the two Sri Lankan openers, the same bowler then dismissed the tailenders Rangana Herath and Lakshan Sandakan to finish with figures of 5 for 44.

Despite Starc's heroics, Sri Lanka ended the day with their noses in front – thanks in part to an entertaining innings from Mathews who hit 54 off 65 balls, including three sixes.

Mathews came to the crease with a positive mindset as he made the reverse-sweep his stock shot against the offspinner Nathan Lyon, who bagged two wickets on a track that spun from the off.

Speaking to reporters after the close of play, Starc said that it had been “a pretty even day” but acknowledged that what is a turning track would benefit Sri Lanka's spin-laden line-up.

“That wicket is pretty flat. It's got no pace in it. It will take a bit of spin. I thought overall we bowled quite well to all the batsmen,” said Starc who paid tribute to Mendis.

“[Mendis] backs himself and can be aggressive when he wants to and I think we changed our game plan a little from that first Test and he still batted quite well today.”

Warner falls

Australia's prospects of overhauling the Sri Lankans were undermined right at the close when vice captain David Warner edged Dilruwan Perera to slip off the last ball of the day after a quickfire 42 off 41 balls.

The debutant Vishwa Fernando also celebrated his first wicket in Test cricket when he sent opener Joe Burns trudging back to the pavilion for nought in only the second ball of the innings.

Usman Khawaja was the not-out batsman and he will resume his innings on Friday on 11.

Sri Lanka's premier bowler, veteran spinner Rangana Herath, only bowled one over before the close but is likely to be much busier later on in the Australian innings on a ground where he has a long record of success.

“It's going to take lot of spin. There's lot of turn on day one for the spinners and as the game goes on there will be lot of assistance for spinners,” Sri Lanka coach Graham Ford said.

“Batsmen are going to be tested [with] their technique against spin.”

Sri Lanka won the first Test at Pallekele by 106 runs, the first triumph in a Test match over the number one-ranked Australians in 17 years.

A victory for Sri Lanka in Galle would see them secure the series with one match to spare.