Australia on verge of innings win

BRISBANE, Australia -- Sri Lanka are staring at an innings defeat in the first Test in Brisbane as they trail Australia by 260 runs with two days to go having been made to follow on.

After dismissing the tourists for just 211, Australia captain Ricky Ponting asked them to bat again and they lost a further two wickets before the close of play.

Having posted 551 for four declared, Australia were soon making inroads into Sri Lanka's first innings after they resumed on 31 for two.

Captain Mahela Jayawardene edged Stuart Clark to wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, before Mitchell Johnson claimed his maiden Test wicket by removing Thilan Samaraweera, Gilchrist again taking the chance behind the stumps.

Clark then dismissed Chamara Silva (40) shortly before lunch after he had put on 54 for the sixth wicket with Marvan Atapattu, who was caught for 51 to give Johnson his second victim.

After tea, the tourists suffered a collapse, losing their last four wickets for just 30 runs as Australia ran riot.

All-rounder Andrew Symonds and leg-spinner Stuart MacGill accounted for Farveez Maharoof and Chaminda Vaas before Lee added to the two wickets he claimed yesterday by removing Prasanna Jayawardene (37) and Dilhara Fernando to finish with four for 26.

With a 340-run advantage Ponting had no hesitation in enforcing the follow-on and opener Atapattu found himself back at the crease just two hours after his first-innings dismissal.

The opener put on 53 with Sanath Jayasuriya before he fell to a catch behind off Symonds for 16.

Jayasuriya compiled a brisk 39 from 49 deliveries, including six fours and one six, before he edged Lee to Ponting at first slip.

Michael Vandort (15) and Mahela Jayawardene (eight) ensured no further wickets fell but Sri Lanka face an uphill task just to save the game after ending the day on 80 for two. E-mail to a friend