AUSTRALIA has ripped through Sri Lanka's tail to grab control of the third Test at the SCG, despite some stubborn tail-end resistance.
Jackson Bird grabbed the last wicket of Suranga Lakmal after a handy 21-run stand with Nuwan Pradeep (17 not out).
The wicket was Bird's fourth and capped a memorable day for the two-Test paceman, who sent both Sri Lankan openers - Tillakaratne Dilshan and Dimuth Karunaratne - packing early in the first session.
Mahela Jayawardene (71) steadied the ship for the tourists but it was a fighting 91 from Lahiru Thirimanne that turned the tide back in Sri Lanka's favour.
He deserved a century but came up just short when he flashed at a Nathan Lyon delivery and was caught by a diving David Warner at cover point.
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