Bayliss hopes for strong batting performance

Mahela Jayawardene is one of the batsmen who will have to dig in on the third day (file photo) © Getty Images

Trevor Bayliss, the Sri Lanka coach, has asked his batsmen to adopt the same approach as Australian pair Michael Hussey and Michael Clarke when play continues on the third day of the first Test at the Gabba.

"It's obviously a very good batting wicket and we should try and take full advantage of it. We need a couple of guys to get their heads together and do what Hussey and Clarke did today," Bayliss said after the second day. "They batted extremely well and we need to do the same. We've got some good seasoned batters in the line-up. They've been in big partnerships before. That's what we need to do. Get ourselves in and build partnerships."

Replying to Australia's imposing first-innings total of 4 for 551 declared Sri Lanka limped to 2 for 31 by stumps, and require a further 321 to make Australia bat again. After being in the field for nearly two days, they didn't have much luck with the bat when Sanath Jayasuriya was given out caught behind for 7 by umpire Tony Hill off a Brett Lee delivery which seemed to miss the edge. Lee followed up by snaring the wicket of Michael Vandort for a duck to end the day with figures of 2 for 4.

"Jayasuriya was very unhappy with his decision," Bayliss said. "But that's the way it goes. You can't dwell on these things. You've got to take it on the chin. In the long run everything sort of evens out. It was probably not the start we wanted chasing 551. But that happens to everyone at some stage. The best teams are the ones that take advantage of luck, if it is called that."

Describing the day's play, Bayliss said: "It was a good hard day's Test cricket which everyone comes to see. I thought we bowled pretty well in the first half of the day today. The Australians batted just as well if not better on a pretty good batting deck.

"What we are trying to do is go out and play some good cricket. You never know what can happen in the last three days. If we don't go and play good cricket you know we will get beaten easily. If we can walk away from this game as we have done in these last two days having given a good effort, we can go with our heads held high, giving Australia the impression that we are here to play some good cricket and that they will have to work hard to beat us."