Australia bundled out Sri Lanka for 212 but endured a top-order wobble of their own before reaching 98/3 in reply after a frenetic, spin-dominated Day I of the opening Test in Galle on Wednesday.

Usman Khawaja rode his luck to an unbeaten 47, while Travis Head was on six at the close with Australia still 114 behind in what promises to be a low-scoring contest.

On a pitch where spinners dictated terms from the opening session, David Warner realised the futility of trying to hang around and scored at a run-a-ball rate. He made 25 before falling lbw to Ramesh Mendis. Marnus Labuschagne fell for 13 and Steve Smith was run out for six after a mix-up with Khawaja.

Earlier, a belligerent 58 by Niroshan Dickwella rescued Sri Lanka who had been on 97-5 in the second session.

Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne (28) combined with Pathum Nissanka (23) to give the hosts a decent start after electing to bat.

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who picked up 5 wickets, was introduced within the first 30 minutes and his first delivery turned sharply.

Warner took a diving catch at gully to send back Karunaratne before leg-spinner Swepson fired identical loopy leg-breaks to remove Dhananjaya de Silva and Dinesh Chandimal off successive deliveries. Angelo Mathews made 39 before walking into Lyon’s leg-slip trap but Dickwella raced to a 42-ball fifty with the sweep shot.

Lyon wrapped things up quickly after tea, dismissing Ramesh Mendis and Dickwella in successive overs. Eleven years after his maiden Test five-for on debut in Galle, the off-spinner bagged his 20th at the same venue when Khawaja plucked a stunning catch at wide mid-on.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka 212 (N. Dickwella 58; N. Lyon 5/90). Australia 98/3 (U. Khawaja 47 batting; R. Mendis 2/35). Stumps, Day I