Australia on top against Sri Lanka
CAIRNS, Australia -- Australia raced out of the blocks on the first day of the second Test against Sri Lanka, reaching 370-2 in their first innings at the close in Queensland.
Openers Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer both scored centuries as they put on 255 for the first wicket, their biggest tally in six double-century opening stands in Test cricket.
Langer remained unbeaten on 159, hitting 22 fours in 268 balls, although he slowed down in the final session after reaching tea at 118.
"We're in a great position and I've got a feeling the wicket's going to get harder to bat on and we've got three of the best fast bowlers in the world, and not a bad leggie either, so Sri Lanka's going to be in for a tough time when they bat," said Langer.
Hayden had reached 117 after hitting 14 fours and two sixes in 185 balls when he was caught shortly after tea, hitting a gentle long hop from Thilan Samaraweera to Sanath Jayasuriya at backward square leg.
"Anything's possible, said Hayden, "it's just occupation of the crease and Justin did that superbly well today. As a partnership we've done as well as what we've done in the past on a wicket that's still pretty lively."
Australian captain Ricky Ponting made just 22 before he was back in the pavilion, caught at cover by Marvan Atapattu off Lasith Malinga, but Damien Martyn reached 56 not out to help put on 79 for the third wicket.
Sri Lanka's tough day in the field was hardly what they had expected when captain Jayasuriya won the toss and put the home side in to bat.
"There was something there for the bowlers but we just didn't put enough balls in the right zones, particularly against Australia," said Sri Lankan coach John Dyson.
"We will have to make them work really hard for their runs tomorrow morning and it means we will have to bat particularly well in our first innings."
Australia beat Sri Lanka by 149 runs inside three days in the first Test of the two-game series at Darwin last week.
