JOIN US Michael Hussey scored an unbeaten 115 to drive Australia towards an aggressive declaration at 450 for five before Sri Lanka were reduced to 87 for four at stumps on the second day of the first Test on Saturday.
More than two hours of play were lost to rain but the Australians made the most of what time they had on the picturesque Bellerive Oval to take firm control of the opening match in a three-Test series.
Dimuth Karunaratne was the first Sri Lankan to fall but it was the cheap wickets of the experienced duo of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene that would have delighted Australia more.
Thilan Samaraweera was caught behind off the bowling of spinner Nathan Lyon for seven to bring an end to play and leave opener Tillakaratne Dilshan, who had made 50 not out, to resume on Sunday with Angelo Mathews.
The day had started so well for the tourists when Australia, resuming on 299 for four, lost Michael Clarke for 74 in the third over. Young paceman Shaminda Eranga induced the Australian captain into an edge which Sangakkara collected with ease at second slip but it was the last wicket to fall in the hosts' innings.
Matthew Wade (68 not out) and Hussey proved just as obdurate in a 146-run partnership and cut loose to pile up the runs when play finally resumed after lunch.
score board
AUSTRALIA (I Innings, O/n: 299/4):
Warner (run out) 57
Cowan c Eranga b Welegedara 4
Hughes b Welegedara 86
Watson c M J’dene b W’gedara 30
Clarke c Sangakkara b Eranga 74
Hussey (not out) 115
Wade (not out) 68
Extras (B-1, LB-3, W-1, NB-11) 16
Total (for 5 wkts decl, 131 overs)450
Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-97, 3-183, 4-198, 5-304.
Bowling: Kulasekara 32-2-80-0, Welegedara 26-1-130-3, Eranga 25-5-90-1, Mathews 15-3-41-0, Dilshan 7-0-30-0, Herath 26-4-75-0.
SRI LANKA (I Innings):
Karunaratne c Wade b Hilfenhaus 14
Dilshan (batting) 50
Sangakkara c Hussey b Siddle 4
M Jayawardene lbw Watson 12
Samaraweera c Wade b Lyon 7
Total (for 4 wkts, 29.1 overs) 87
Fall of wickets: 1-25, 2-42, 3-70, 4-87.
Bowling: Starc 7-1-30-0, Hilfenhaus 9-3-18-1, Lyon 2.1-2-0-1, Siddle 6-1-23-1, Watson 5-1-16-1.