Phil Jaques and Mike Hussey scored back-to-back Test centuries as Australia took a vice grip on the second cricket Test with Sri Lanka after the opening day’s play at Bellerive Oval here on Friday.
Jaques followed up his century in Australia’s first Test innings victory over the Sri Lankans in Brisbane last week with 150 and Hussey scored a last-over hundred after his 133 in Brisbane as the Australians powered to 329 for three at the close after winning the toss.
Hussey, averaging over 87 per Test innings, pulled a short ball from Farveez Maharoof to the mid-wicket fence in the final over of the day to go to stumps on an unbeaten 101.
Michael Clarke, who scored 145 not out in Australia’s only innings in Brisbane, was not out eight.
The Australians threaten to once again grind down the Sri Lankan bowlers afer amassing 551 for four declared in the innings win in Brisbane.
Jaques, who has replaced retired opener Justin Langer, was once again a star to register in second Test century in consecutive innings.
The New South Wales left-hander occupied the crease for almost five and a half hours in his 237-ball effort with 18 boundaries.
Jaques holed out to Dilhara Fernando at long-on off the left-arm spin bowling of Sanath Jayasuriya with Australia in command at 285 for three after a 152-run partnership with Hussey.
His opening partner Matthew Hayden was caught behind off the bowling of Fernando, scoring 17 in an opening stand of 48 with Jaques. Skipper Ricky Ponting shared in an 85-run partnership for the second wicket with Jaques before falling to Murali.


SCORE BOARD

Australia (I Innings):
Jaques c Fernando b J’suriya 150
Hayden c P J’dene b Fernando 17
Ponting c M J’dene b M’tharan 31
Hussey (batting) 101
Clarke (batting) 8
Extras (B-5, NB-17) 22
Total (for 3 wkts; 90 overs) 329
Fall of wickets: 1-48, 2-133, 3-285.
Bowling: Malinga 22-4-97-0, Maharoof 23-4-82-0, Fernando 13-2-65-1, Muralitharan 25-3-62-1, Jayasuriya 7-1-18-1.