Rangana Herath hat-trick puts Sri Lanka in command against Australia

Rangana Herath became only the second Sri Lanka bowler to take a Test hat-trick as the hosts took command of the second Test against Australia on a dramatic second day in Galle.

The left-arm spinner dismissed Adam Voges, Peter Nevill and Mitchell Starc off successive deliveries to help bowl out Australia, who had resumed on 54-2, for 106 in their first innings - their lowest score against Sri Lanka.

With 21 wickets falling during the day, Sri Lanka then made 237 in their second innings before reducing the tourists to 25-3 in their second dig at stumps, requiring another 388 runs if they are to avoid a series defeat in the three-Test series.

Herath had troubled Australia in the first Test at Pallekele too, exposing the visitors' vulnerability against spin bowling and claiming nine wickets in Sri Lanka's 106-run victory.

The 38-year-old returned to haunt them again on the second morning in Galle, bowling captain Steve Smith for five runs with the first delivery of his third over.

Herath then dismantled Australia's batting in an eventful seventh over, inviting Voges into a drive with his fourth delivery and Dimuth Karunaratne took a brilliant catch at extra cover to complete the dismissal for eight runs.

His next delivery was an arm ball that trapped Nevill plumb in front and Herath struck Starc's pad with his next ball but the leg-before appeal was turned down.

After a brief chat with the spinner, Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews decided to review the decision and Herath, who claimed 4-35, was mobbed by his team-mates as the not-out decision was overturned.

Paceman Nuwan Zoysa was the first Sri Lankan to claim a Test hat-trick, against Zimbabwe in Harare in 1999.

Herath's spin partner Dilruwan Perera finished with figures of 4-29 in Australia's first innings and the duo once again made hay towards the end of the day, with Herath (1-16) removing Joe Burns and Perera (2-9) dismissing Nathan Lyon and Usman Khawaja in successive balls, although Smith survived the hat-trick ball.

Starc had another impressive day with the ball as he claimed 6-50 - the best figures by an Australian bowler in Sri Lanka - to add to his 5-44 in Sri Lanka's first innings, but Perera and Herath also proved a thorn in Australia's side with the bat.

The hosts were struggling at 121-6 at one stage but Perera top scored with 64 and Herath made 26 - the pair combining in an eighth-wicket stand of 61 - to put the game out of Australia's reach.