Australia is two for 54 heading into day two of the second test against Sri Lanka in Galle.

A five wicket haul from Mitchell Starc held Sri Lanka to a first-innings total of 281 on day one.

Mitchell Starc acknowledges the crowd after taking a five wicket haul on day one in Galle. Photo: AP/ Eranga Jayawardena

However, it is a total the hosts will be somewhat happy with on a pitch that is already offering plenty to the spinners, Fox News reports. Both Joe Burns (0) and David Warner (42) fell before stumps.

Asked to bowl first on a bone-dry pitch, the Australians got off to a dream start courtesy of Starc, who had Dimuth Karunartne caught for a golden duck by Burns at mid-wicket. The fast bowler is only the fifth Australian to ever take a wicket with the first ball of a Test, and the first this century. Glenn McGrath was the last Australian to do it in 1999, and coincidentally that also took place in Galle.

Unfortunately for the Australians, their start with the bat was only better than Sri Lanka’s by a ball, with Burns out for a two-ball duck to debuting quick Vishwa Fernando. The opener perished pulling a short ball straight to the man at square leg.

The dismissal meant Fernando only took two balls to claim his first Test wicket.

Australia’s own debutant, Jon Holland, had to wait a little bit longer, not striking until the end of his 14th over. Called up in place of the injured Stephen O’Keefe, Holland finished the day with figures of 1-64 off 15, accounting for Dhanajaya de Silva with a rank full-toss the Sri Lankan played all around.

The day ended the way it had started – with a wicket. Having hit seven crisp boundaries on his way to 42, Warner nicked off to Dilruwan Perera on what proved to be the final ball of the day, swinging the match slightly in Sri Lanka’s favour.