Australia is edging towards a 2-0 series sweep over Sri Lanka after Alex Carey's breathtaking century propelled the visitors into a formidable position in the second test.

GALLE: Steve Smith and Alex Carey powered Australia to a formidable 414 all out Saturday in their first innings

Fresh off a double hundred in the first test, Usman Khawaja has once again underlined why he is Australia's finest batsman in Asian conditions as he led the tourists past an early wobble to reach 85-2 at lunch on Day 2 of the second test against Sri Lanka.

Alex Carey joins Steve Smith in raising his bat as a massive partnership puts Australia 73 runs ahead with seven wickets in hand in the first innings after day two of the second Test.

Former Sri Lanka test skipper Dimuth Karunaratne will retire from the format after his 100th match, the final test of Sri Lanka's two-test series against Australia in Galle on Thursday.

Dinesh Chandimal has scored an unbeaten 63 as Sri Lanka struggled to 136-5 at lunch on Day 3 in reply to Australia's imposing first innings of 654 in the first cricket test.

Alex Carey launched a counter-attack against Sri Lankan spinners and scored 156 runs at a strike rate over 80.

Australian wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey overtook legendary Adam Gilchrist's record on Saturday, becoming the first wicketkeeper-batter from his team to touch the 150-run mark in Asian conditions. Carey achieved this accomplishment during the second Test against Sri Lanka at Galle.