Australia on top

Debutant Shaun Marsh and veteran Mike Hussey shared an unbroken stand of 135 to put Australia firmly in control of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Kandy.

Having started the day on 60 for nought in response to the home side's 174 all out, Australia lost openers Shane Watson and Phil Hughes for 36 before captain Michael Clarke departed for 13.

That left Australia wobbling on 116 for three, but Marsh (83 not out) came together with Hussey (68no) to steady the ship and guide Australia to 251 for three at tea.

Australia suffered an early setback when Watson was dismissed off the 10th ball of the morning, shouldering arms to a Suranga Lakmal delivery which nipped back and clipped off stump.

Marsh and Hughes settled into a cautious stand of 35 from 17 overs before the latter fell victim to a fine bat-pad catch from Tharanga Paranavitana at short leg off the bowling of Suraj Randiv.

Clarke managed just 13 before wafting at a wide ball from Chanaka Welegedara, with Mahela Jayawardene taking the catch in the slips.

At lunch the tourists had reached 133 for three but the runs began to flow after the resumption.

Marsh, in particular, looked to use his feet as the innings progressed and clipped Seekkuge Prasanna for successive fours to bring up his first 50.

Hussey had to wait longer for his half-century, but moved past 49 after a nervy wait by despatching Randiv through square leg.