Dilshan, Mathews fifties propel Lanka

In reply to Australia's first innings total of 316, hosts Sri Lanka, trailing the three-Test series 1-0, ended day three on 428 for six wickets for a lead of 112 runs.

At stumps, Mathews remained unbeaten on 85 off 207 balls with debutant Saminda Eranga (5 not out) keeping him company.  Mathews, who has twice been dismissed in the nineties in his 16-Test career, was involved in two useful partnerships that enabled Sri Lanka to move ahead of Australia's total.  He stitched together a record fifth-wicket stand of 121 with captain Tillakaratne Dilshan and followed it up with another partnership of 81 with Prasanna Jayawardene.

Dilshan returned to form with a well-paced knock of 83 off 121 balls.

Score Board

AUSTALIA (I Innings): 316
SRI LANKA (I Innings, O/n 166/2):
P’navitana c Ponting b Johnson    46
Thirimanne b Siddle    28
Sangakkara c Haddin b Siddle    79
Jayawardene c Haddin b Watson    51
Dilshan c Haddin b Copeland    83
Mathews (batting)    85
Jayawardene c Clarke b Copeland    47
Eranga (batting)    5
Extras: (B-1, LB-2, NB-1)    4
Total (for 6 wkts, 155 overs)    428
Fall of wickets: 1-56, 2-97, 3-198, 4-210, 5-331, 6-412.
Bowling: Copeland 33-10-70-2, Siddle 27-7-76-2, Johnson 33-6-116-1, Watson 24-7-53-1, Lyon 34-5-91-0, Hussey 2-1-5-0, Ponting 2-0-14-0.