2nd Test, Day 2, Manuka Oval Canberra, Stumps

Australia – 5/534 dec

Sri Lanka – 3/123

Perera – 11     de Silva – 1

A maiden Test century for Kurtis Patterson (117*)  was the highlight on day two of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Canberra, but the real drama came from a Pat Cummins bouncer that sent Dimuth Karunaratne to the ground and then hospital.

The sharply rising fireball caught the Sri Lankan at the base of the skull, raising immediate and chilling memories of the ball that claimed the life of Phil Hughes.

There was a lengthy delay as the Sri Lankan opener received medical attention while concern for his condition rippled around Manuka Oval.

Relieved Sri Lankan coach Chandika Hathurusingha confirmed after play that the stricken batsman had avoided serious injury.

“He’s in good spirit and he’s in no danger at the moment.  He was talking to us before he was leaving [for the hospital],” Hathurusingha said.

“It was a bit scary at the start, the way he fell back. He was hit on the back of the head and neck and he’s being assessed at the moment.”

Sri Lanka went to stumps at 3/123, still trailing by 411.

Australia took 3/76 in the final session as the tourists, clearly unnerved by the spectacle of Karunaratne crumpling to the pitch, struggled to cope with the ferocious attack.

.@Neroli_M_FOX with the latest on the Dimuth Karunaratne injury.#AUSvSL #FoxCricket pic.twitter.com/5OUxDRFFGC

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Hathurusingha conceded the incident had an impact on his team, which had been cruising along before Karunaratne was struck.

“We lost a couple of wickets, so it definitely was a distraction. We were going well at 94 without loss and they were batting well,” Hathurusingha said.

Soon after play restarted and no doubt unsettled by events, Laniru Thirimanne (41) edged a Nathan Lyon delivery to slip to be on his way.

Kusal Mendis (6) had a brief stay at the wicket, beaten and bowled  by a Cummins leg cutter.

"Just enough movement."

Cummins' delivery to remove Kusal Mendis

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Dinesh Chandimal (15) was next to go while attempting to duck under a Mitch Starc bouncer and gloving one to Tim Paine behind the wicket.

Australia’s innings ended when Tim Paine was at the crease on 45 and he declared at 5/534.

Earlier, Patterson took 173 deliveries to pass the milestone as nervous family and friends watched from the stands. He became the third Australian batsman in the innings to make a ton.

The young Sydneysider made his Test debut in the opening Test of the series at the Gabba in Brisbane.

What a moment😍

Kurtis Patterson brings up his maiden Test 💯#AUSvSL #FoxCricket pic.twitter.com/NCPMobmOtp

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Joe Burns’ (180) hopes of a double century were dashed when he chopped a Kasun Rajitha delivery on to his stumps to become the fifth Australian wicket to fall.

WICKET: Joe Burns plays one onto his stumps. He's out for 180.#AUSvSL #FoxCricket pic.twitter.com/qjiXkQR38p

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Burns’ innings was his highest Test score and the fourth century of his career. His partnership with Travis Head of 308 runs is the largest of any Australian batting pair in a Test against Sri Lanka.

Australia crossed the 400 run threshold in an innings for the first time in over a year, the last being the 649 Steve Smith’s team made in the Ashes Test against England in Sydney in January 2018.

Before the start of play, Cricket Australia CEO Kevin Roberts addressed the issue of Will Pucovski’s decision to leave the Australian team to head home to Melbourne.

The 21-year-old Victorian batting prospect asked to be released for personal reasons.

Roberts told SEN Radio the player’s welfare is paramount.

“Mental health and well-being challenges are more prevalent right across society now. It is a rollercoaster that people suffering mental health issues are riding. ”

"Will's handling that really maturely and we've got a lot of support around him."

Cricket Australia CEO Kevin Roberts speaks to SEN Test Cricket about Will Pucovski. Hear the full chat during the lunch break #AUSvSL pic.twitter.com/lLCK8EhfXp

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“Will is handling that really maturely.  We have a lot of support around him with the team doctor and the team psychologist.”

The Cricket Australia boss was keen to underline the commitment the game has made to addressing the issue of mental wellbeing.

‘I’m really proud of the network we’ve now got in place. We’ve invested 13 million dollars over five years in professional development. It’s just so important to help players manage their well being,” Roberts said.