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A Holl lotta of love for latest Test debutant

Jon Holland has a memorable day as he becomes the 444th member of a very exclusive club

The delivery to dismiss Dhananjaya de Silva on day one in Galle was far from the finest of Jon Holland’s career, but the Australia spinner is now officially in the history books as a Test wicket-taker.

Report & Highlights: Honours even after tense opening day

The lbw scalp courtesy of a missed full toss in the 69th over of the second Test capped off a day to remember for the 29-year-old.

Holland was presented Baggy Green No.444 after a stirring speech from former Australian fast bowler Merv Hughes, with his proud father Mark joining in the team huddle for the moment all young cricketers dream about.

Holland receives his Baggy Green cap

On a dry Galle pitch that took time before really taking spin, Holland showed few signs of the nerves state and club teammates have come to know when he was handed the ball for the 19th over of the day.

As the Kusal duo of Mendis and Perera began to accelerate, the left-arm spinner came within inches of his maiden wicket when a stunning catch from Nathan Lyon took him hurtling towards the deep-midwicket boundary where some quick thinking helped prevent a boundary.

The Sri Lankan pair looked for every opportunity to attack the touring debutant, while skipper Angelo Mathews went down a similar route when he made his way out to the middle shortly after the lunch break.

Holland conceded five fours and a brace of sixes in his 15-over introduction to Test cricket, but caused enough problems to suggest he’ll play a key role as the wicket deteriorates throughout the course of the Test.

"He's been pretty quiet throughout the day, being his first Test," paceman Mitchell Starc said of Holland’s demeanour on day one.

"It's fantastic to see him get his first wicket in his first Test. The first one can sometimes be the hardest one to get.

"I think that will relax him a little bit, especially for the second innings.

"I think he did a pretty good job on Test debut."



With his side boasting a lead of 227 runs heading into day two of the clash, Sri Lanka coach Graham Ford knows the role of the tweakers will only become more important as the match rolls on.

"I think it’s going to take more spin than the last Test,” Ford said.

"There were signs of some real turn on day one, so as the game goes on there will definitely be a lot of assistance for the spinners.

"Batsmen are going to be tested out with their technique against spin."