There has been plenty of Test cricket recently that you don't want to take your eyes off. England are changing the way people think of the game by charging their way to fourth-innings targets as though it was the most normal thing ever; while in Galle, the first match of the series was over in less than two days' playing time as Australia adapted to conditions far better than the home side.
The type of match we saw in the first Test was not a complete surprise - it was always likely the game would move quickly - but the way Australia bossed proceedings when it had been a pretty even contest on the second day, and barely 24 hours later secured victory, was somewhat unexpected.
If they can do it again over the next few days - no one believes the second Test will go close to five - it will complete significant back-to-back triumphs in the subcontinent after the win in Pakistan, and set them up.
Sri Lanka have plenty of problems to solve, and their difficulties have been exacerbated by a Covid-19 outbreak in the squad which has ruled out four players, although Angelo Mathews, the first case, is available again. Their bowling attack will look considerably different, although that may have been the case anyway after the spinners were unable to keep any control of Australia's batters.
But they also need their senior batters to step forward. There is no lack of experience in the top order but it was collectively a very poor performance in the opening Test, even though coach Chris Silverwood was not critical of their second-innings approach as conditions became even tougher, having also been able to bat first when conditions were, relatively speaking, at their best. The bare facts would suggest Australia have Sri Lanka's number and should be comfortable favourites to take the series 2-0, but the nature of the pitch - if, as expected, it is anything like the opening game - means that form, perhaps, does not play the role it often does. One spell, one collapse, and things can change quickly.
