LIVE – http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 v Sri Lanka: 2nd Test – Aussies in command until lunch on day-3 - Match Update
Australia have gained a first innings lead of 204 runs against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 until lunch on day-three of the second Test of the three-match series at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka on Saturday, September 10, 2011.
The tourists are in a commanding position with six more wickets still remaining in their first innings. The highlight of the outing was a sensational century from debutant http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SE-Marsh-c2470, who is still unbeaten on 130 and will be aiming for a big one in order
to cement his place in the side.
Apart from Marsh, veteran middle-order batsman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MEK-Hussey-c1942 was the other centurion in the game, collecting 142 runs. He batted exceptionally well, easing the pressure on his young partner at the other end.
Earlier, the Sri Lankan team was bowled out cheaply for 174 runs in their first innings. This was a disappointing performance by the Asian side, considering their skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/TM-Dilshan-c2691 had opted to bat first after winning the toss on a flat pitch.
All-rounder http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AD-Mathews-c913 was the only player to make a solid impression in the home team’s innings. He scored 58 runs and got out towards the end of the innings, in an attempt to score runs quickly.
The reply from the Kangaroos to the first innings total of the hosts was a good one, as openers http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Phillip-Hughes-c2185 put on a 60-run stand for the first wicket. They failed to make most of the start though, getting out for 36 runs each.
The Aussie skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Clarke-c1978 missed out on an opportunity to make an impression, as he was dismissed after adding just 13 runs to the total, leaving his side 116/3.
However, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Simon-James-Marshall-c90362 and Hussey took the game away from the opposition with sheer brilliance. The pair collected 258 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before the latter finally got out before lunch.
Hussey scored 142 runs with the help of 16 boundaries, leaving his side into a fantastic position. Marsh was joined by Pakistani born http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Usman-Khawaja-c2729, who will resume his innings on 1 after the lunch break.
Sri Lanka’s surprise wicket taker was http://www.senore.com/Cricket/TT-Samaraweera-c2712, who dismissed Hussey today.
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