1st Test: Hussey’s ton puts Australia in command

Sri Lanka playing catch-up after losing four key wickets.

HOBART:

Four Sri Lankan wickets rewarded a Mike Hussey-induced declaration to have Australia in a powerful position after the second day of the first Hobart Test yesterday.

Veteran Hussey’s fifth century in six Tests against Sri Lanka enabled skipper Michael Clarke to call a halt to Australia’s first innings at 450 for five off 131 overs, some 30 minutes before tea on a rain-interrupted day. Clarke’s call was backed by his bowlers who captured the wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne and the prized scalps of Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera in the final session.

At stumps, Sri Lanka were 87 for four with Tillakaratne Dilshan not out on 50 with Samaraweera out in the day’s final over.

Earlier, Hussey continued to flourish with an unbeaten 115 for his 19th Test century and third in the last month to share in a 146-run stand with wicketkeeper Matthew Wade (68).

“I think we are in a fantastic position after those late wickets,” said Hussey. “We got Sangakkara, Jayawardene and Samaraweera out, they are guys that can make big scores and play in tough conditions.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 16^th, 2012.