Lehmann laments hapless Australia

Australia were guilty of “not showing up” and have to “stop the rot” after an embarrassing collapse against Sri Lanka on Friday, according to head coach Darren Lehmann.

Having lost the opening Test by 106 runs in Pallekele, the tourists were all out for only 106 in reply to Sri Lanka’s first-innings total of 281 in Galle on Friday.

The tourists restricted Angelo Mathews’ side to 237 in their second knock, but could not prevent Sri Lanka from opening up a commanding lead.

And the struggles then continued for the visitors, who slumped to 25-3 late on day two, leaving them needing 388 to record what now appears a highly unlikely victory which they need to keep the three-match series alive.

“We’re certainly not showing up at the moment,” Lehmann told reporters at the close of play.

“It’s up to the players to get out there and do that. We give them as much info as we possibly can, as you know. We’re pretty open about how we want the players to play … it gets down to the players doing it on the ground.

“At the moment we’re letting ourselves down as a group. They know what they want to do, it’s having the belief to do it.

“We’ve got to make sure we get the players doing what they’re supposed to be doing. And if not, we’ll have to find players who are going to.”

Australia have struggled badly in Asia in recent years, winning just one of their last 16 Tests in the subcontinent.

Asked if the team had learned from their previous struggles against spin on slow pitches, Lehmann said: “Results will say we haven’t moved on, won’t [they]? Pretty simple.

“We’ve got to get better. Simple as that. Tomorrow we’ve got to play better to stop the rot. It’s not as if they [the player] don’t have the knowledge or know-how, it’s doing it … under pressure.”

Australia will resume with David Warner (22) and captain Smith (0) at the crease on Saturday.