Test teams greeted by scenes of destruction in Sri Lanka

Australian and Sri Lankan cricketers arriving at Galle for the second day of the first Test have been greeted by the alarming sight of a collapsed temporary grandstand.

Fortunately, there were no fans occupying the stand thanks to severe weather at the ground throughout the morning, with the second day of play delayed by several hours as a result.

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High winds ultimately lead to the temprary stand buckling and collapsing, leaving a messy scene of debris in its wake.

Sheets of corrugated iron initially blew off the eastern stand, with the metal secured by ropes on top of sheets above a small concreted seating area.

Ground staff were understandably hesitant to come too close to the collapsed temporary structure, with attempts to clean up the mess also delayed to due the weather.

Torrential rain soaked the Halle pitch throughout the morning, with much of the ground having to be covered in tarps, which have also needed to be held down using spare tyres.

International Cricket Council officials have been working with ground staff in Sri Lanka to minimise the potential delay, but the heavy rain has thus far shown no sign of easing.

In a rare spot of fortune for the besieged ground staff, the high winds have been pushing much of the rain towards the coact - however the working conditions could be described as downright unpleasant at best.

Even if the rain stops and the outfield deemed dry enough, it remains questionable whether play will be able to begin until the stand and metal sheets are properly secured.

Roughly an hour after the temporary standgrandstand collapsed, a glass screen used for marquee tents fell and shattered, adding to the workload for local staff.

Australia face a crucial first hour after going to stumps at 3-98 in reply to Sri Lanka's 212.

Sri Lanka set to test Australia's batting on day two

A late Steve Smith run out on day one highlighted Australia's jitters with the bat, after Nathan Lyon joined elite company with his 20th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.

Lyon claimed figures of 5-90 to help bowl Sri Lanka out for 212 just after tea on the opening day of the two-Test series, before the tourists went to stumps at 3-98 in Galle.

On the same day Sri Lanka paid tribute to Shane Warner, legspinner Mitchell Swepson also vindicated his selection with a fine 3-55 as he at one stage took two wickets in successive balls.

At that point all was going well for Australia, as David Warner exploded out of the blocks in reply to have them 0-47.

But as is so often the case on the sub-continent, a sting in the tail was still to come.

In a chaotic final hour, Warner was trapped lbw for 25 by Ramesh Mendis, Marnus Labuschagne reverse-swept the spinner straight to gully and Smith was visibly furious after being run out.

Hit on the pads on six, Smith took off after Usman Khawaja appeared to call him through amid an lbw appeal and then hesitated.

Smith turned and dived but was well short of his ground, making clear his frustration clear to Khawaja as he got up and stormed off the ground.

Australia's situation at stumps could have also been far worse had Niroshan Dickwella not missed a chance to stump Khawaja, who finished the day unbeaten on 47.

But still Wednesday belonged to Lyon, who joined Clarrie Grimmett, Dennis Lillee, Glenn McGrath and Warne as the only Australians to claim 20 five-wicket hauls.

He claimed the key wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne for 28 just after lunch on Wednesday, drawing his inside edge before David Warner leapt forward to take a one-handed catch at slip.

Angelo Mathews became Lyon's next victim when he glided him straight to Warner at leg slip, before the offspinner ended a rearguard action from Dickwella (58) to run through the tail early in the final session.

With AAP

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