Dilshan brings himself on

50.1

Dilshan to Marsh, 1 run, starts with a short loosener, is cut away to deep cover

50.2

Dilshan to Hussey, no run, fuller, slower, defended off the front foot

50.3

Dilshan to Hussey, 1 run, flat outside off, pushed to cover

50.4

Dilshan to Marsh, no run, slower on middle and off, defended off the back foot

50.5

Dilshan to Marsh, 1 run, slightly short, and he rocks back to cut it away for a single

50.6

Dilshan to Hussey, no run, flighted on middle and leg, turning towards middle and off, defended to leg

51.1

Herath to Marsh, no run, full, turning in, dead-batted

51.2

Herath to Marsh, 2 runs, turning into the pads, glanced away fine for a couple

51.3

Herath to Marsh, no run, slightly short, Marsh goes back to defend this to midwicket

51.4

Herath to Marsh, no run, wide of the crease, turning in, defended to midwicket

51.5

Herath to Marsh, 1 run, short, Marsh pushes this to long-on for a single

"@rob- Actually Mt Everest is very uneven and rocky terrain, so you wouldn't ski down as much as you would fall stumble and hit your head Homer Simpson style.. I guess that still applies" Ryan that sounds more appropriate

51.6

Herath to Hussey, no run, swept uppishly, but it lands in front of square leg

52.1

Dilshan to Marsh, no run, defended back to the bowler, well forward to do so

52.2

Dilshan to Marsh, no run, soft hands, pushed to cover, with the turn

52.3

Dilshan to Marsh, 2 runs, pushed to the right of Dilshan, who fields well, but concedes overthrows through a wide unnecessary throw

52.4

Dilshan to Marsh, no run, full on leg and middle, turning towards off, defended to cover

52.5

Dilshan to Marsh, no run, pushed to cover off the front foot

52.6

Dilshan to Marsh, no run, angled into the pads, clears the front leg and defends it with an open face

"How many people have got 100's in both of their first two innings?" Liam, Lawrence Rowe surely has

53.1

Herath to Hussey, 1 run, Hussey charges at him, gets to the pitch of the ball, and pushes a single to long-on

53.2

Herath to Marsh, 1 run, overpitched on middle and leg, driven to long-on for an easy single

53.3

Herath to Hussey, no run, full outside off, defended off the front foot

53.4

Herath to Hussey, no run, leaves his crease again, defends this to silly mid-on and has to rush back into the crease

53.5

Herath to Hussey, no run, tossed up outside off, defended with an open face

53.6

Herath to Hussey, no run, flatter, stays back, pushes this to cover

54.1

Dilshan to Marsh, no run, slightly short, goes back, opens the face, can't beat point

54.2

Dilshan to Marsh, 1 run, this is fuller, and he push-drives it wide of cover

54.3

Dilshan to Hussey, FOUR, full and outside leg, and Hussey shows him no mercy. Sweeps this fine, the bat comes down on it, keeping it down

54.4

Dilshan to Hussey, no run, flighted outside off, defended to cover

54.5

Dilshan to Hussey, no run, slower through the air, slight dip on it, gets the outside half of the bat, but it is safe

54.6

Dilshan to Hussey, 1 run, into the pads, worked around the corner for a single

Last over before tea. Lakmal comes back to bowl it

55.1

Lakmal to Hussey, no run, length ball, middle and off, Hussey defends this back to the bowler

55.2

Lakmal to Hussey, no run, middle and leg, pushed to midwicket

55.3

Lakmal to Hussey, 1 run, full, on the pads, clipped away for a single

55.4

Lakmal to Marsh, no run, angled across him, left alone by Marsh

55.5

Lakmal to Marsh, FOUR, overpitched, just outside off, and a lovely off-drive from Marsh. He just meets it with a straight bat. Bang it goes between the bowler and mid-off. What's more? No Australian has ever averaged - not for one second - more than Marsh's current average of 209

55.6

Lakmal to Marsh, no run, short ball, well directed over the stumps, Marsh sways out of its line

3.44pm Tea break now. Sri Lanka bowled much better in this session, and got the wickets of Clarke and Ponting. The two contributed to their own demise in no little measure. The two Western Australians hold fort for the visitors as the Sri Lankans will look to run through the rest of batting and secure a clear advantage on a flat wicket. Join us around 4pm for the final session

Here's Dilshan to Hussey. Over the wicket this time

4pm We are back. "Does anyone know how I can get in contact with Shaun Marsh so I can get his autograph whilst his average is 209? Might be worth something in the next few days or so." Rob Noah, I am sure you could fly Qantas tonight, and hope that Marsh doesn't get out before stumps. Who knows he might even break Rowe's record of 314?

"@Liam, batsmen to make consecutive centuries from debut: Lawrence Rowe 214* and 100 vs. NZ at Kingston 1972, Alvin Kallicharran vs. 100* at Georgetown and 101 at Port of Spain in the same series, Sourav Ganguly 131 at Lord's and 136 vs. England at Nottingham 1996 and Yasir Hameed 170 and 105 vs. Bangladesh at Karachi 2003" Thanks Vaughan for those statistics. I could barely finish a sanga during the break

56.1

Dilshan to Hussey, 1 run, turning away, Hussey plays with soft hands, and steers it wide of slip

56.2

Dilshan to Marsh, no run, pushed to silly point, off the back foot

56.3

Dilshan to Marsh, no run, flat, Marsh stays back, pushes this to point

56.4

Dilshan to Marsh, no run, low trajectory again, quick through the air, defended back to the bowler

56.5

Dilshan to Marsh, no run, slightly slower, defended off the front foot

56.6

Dilshan to Marsh, 1 run, full outside off, driven to extra cover, and they take the single off the fumble

Herath to continue. Round the wicket

57.1

Herath to Marsh, 1 run, Marsh leaves the crease to drive this to long-on for an easy single

57.2

Herath to Hussey, no run, Hussey too jumps out of the crease, turns this defensively to leg

57.3

Herath to Hussey, no run, flatter, quicker, defended from deep inside the crease

57.4

Herath to Hussey, 2 runs, chips down the wicket again, and works this wide of midwicket... "push, push" is the call, and they take the second

57.5

Herath to Hussey, 1 run, another foray outside the crease, drives this from wide outside off to long-on for a single

57.6

Herath to Marsh, 1 run, turning into middle and leg, nudged into the leg side for one

58.1

Dilshan to Marsh, 1 run, cut away powerfully, deep point is in place

58.2

Dilshan to Hussey, no run, pushed to extra cover, Mathews fumbles, but they don't run off the misfield

58.3

Dilshan to Hussey, no run, driven to extra cover, this time Mathews puts the dive in

58.4

Dilshan to Hussey, no run, gives this one air, Hussey defends with an open face

58.5

Dilshan to Hussey, 1 run, looks to defend, it runs off the outside edge past slip, all along the ground

58.6

Dilshan to Marsh, no run, pushes right forward to defend this

All Indians who are up in arms because of the omission of Azhar's name in the consecutive centuries at the start of the career list, please not we are talking centuries in consecutive innings, and not consecutive matches

59.1

Herath to Hussey, no run, Hussey sweeps, is beaten, but it is turning down the leg side

By the way, Herath is back over the wicket

59.2

Herath to Hussey, no run, goes deep in the crease to defend

59.3

Herath to Hussey, FOUR, poor bowling, top batting, Hussey is already on his way to going for a sweep when he sees this fired down the leg side. He plays the sweep-pull, fine for four

59.4

Herath to Hussey, no run, leaves the crease, reaches the pitch of the ball, defends to midwicket

59.5

Herath to Hussey, no run, turning into the pads, worked away to square leg

59.6

Herath to Hussey, no run, fired into the pads again, Hussey sweeps but this time he finds square leg

60.1

Dilshan to Marsh, no run, nicely bowled, slows this down, Marsh has time to think what to do, he ends up playing at it, and the turn beats his bat

60.2

Dilshan to Marsh, no run, and follows it up with a rubbish short ball, Marsh finds extra cover, though

60.3

Dilshan to Marsh, no run, full and straight, pushed back to the bowler

60.4

Dilshan to Marsh, no run

60.5

Dilshan to Marsh, 2 runs, short, flat, quick, punched away for a couple

60.6

Dilshan to Marsh, no run

61.1

Herath to Hussey, no run, low trajectory, turning into the pads, defended back

61.2

Herath to Hussey, no run, pushed to silly mid-on

61.3

Herath to Hussey, 1 run, flat into the pads, swept away along the ground

"Marsh to Hussey: 'so this test average thing is pretty easy eh?'" Andy imagines a chat between the overs

61.4

Herath to Marsh, no run, defended off the front foot

61.5

Herath to Marsh, no run, shout for lbw as he misses on the sweep, but he has got the front leg outside the line of off

61.6

Herath to Marsh, no run, turning into the pads, defended to midwicket

Lakmal comes back now. Two slips and a short extra cover in

62.1

Lakmal to Hussey, no run, short of a length, angling across him, left alone

62.2

Lakmal to Hussey, 1 run, length ball outside off, drops it wide of cover and charges through for a single

62.3

Lakmal to Marsh, no run, starts outside off, angles further away, left alone

"Enough with the average-thing....if his average is still 215 in 10 years time THEN I'll be impressed!" Simon, what if he retires now? Would you be impressed 10 years from now?

62.4

Lakmal to Marsh, no run, looks to cut, not enough room, ends up paying it into the ground

62.5

Lakmal to Marsh, no run, good bouncer, over the stumps, not too short, marsh wanted to pull, but pulled out late

62.6

Lakmal to Marsh, no run, another good accurate bouncer, over the stumps, Marsh sways out of the line

63.1

Herath to Hussey, no run, length ball, turning in towards off, defended off the back foot

63.2

Herath to Hussey, 2 runs, no slip or short third man, and he opens the face on a fullish delivery, and steals a couple

Simon: 'I'd be very impressed ... at how someone can give up a promising career just to preserve a stat...."

63.3

Herath to Hussey, no run, full on off, pushed back to the bowler

63.4

Herath to Hussey, no run, flights this one, Hussey is forward to cover the turn and defend

63.5

Herath to Hussey, no run, shimmies down, pushes this to silly mid-on

63.6

Herath to Hussey, 1 run, full on the pads, places this between the two midwickets

Hyclass: "@Simon...I expect when it comes to his average,Marsh will have 'mallowed' by then.....sorry...i couldnt resist"

64.1

Lakmal to Hussey, 1 run, short, doesn't bounce high, pulled away from waist-high, all along the ground

64.2

Lakmal to Marsh, 2 leg byes, short of a length, on the pads, guided to fine leg

64.3

Lakmal to Marsh, no run, bouncer, this time too short, easy to duck under

"Simon my friend, stats are everything in the game of cricket.. you're judged by your numbers. If Shaun Marsh quit now he could get free fish and chips for the rest of his life, mark my words." Surely Rob Noah doesn't sell fish and chips for a living?

64.4

Lakmal to Marsh, no run, length ball angling away, driven away to mid-off

"Who better than his current batting partner to testify to what time can do to a batting average." True, Athol Henwick

64.5

Lakmal to Marsh, no run, short again, down the leg side, he stays away from it

"Averages are often rude on batsman. Marsh would have batted for something like 500 balls now to get his average up to 215. ONE BALL can make it 107.5 now..." Oh the injustice, Eric

64.6

Lakmal to Marsh, FOUR, Marsh has been suffering under the sun, asking for replenishing drinks for the second time in two overs, but before that he has enough energy to crash this short delivery into the point boundary. Dismissed in front of point

65.1

Herath to Hussey, no run, flat, on off, defended from deep inside the crease

65.2

Herath to Hussey, no run, chips down the track, pushes this to midwicket

65.3

Herath to Hussey, no run, lower trajectory again, defends from the crease

65.4

Herath to Hussey, SIX, Hussey beats the leg-side field. I mean you can't place fielders in the stands! Comes down the track again, to the pitch of it, and then lefts it over midwicket

65.5

Herath to Hussey, no run, defended off the front foot

65.6

Herath to Hussey, no run, turning into the pads, pushed t square leg

Dilshan comes back

66.1

Dilshan to Marsh, no run, slightly short, rocks back and punches this to cover

66.2

Dilshan to Marsh, 2 runs, finds the gap with this punch shot, wide of cover

66.3

Dilshan to Marsh, no run, flighted on middle and leg, blocked back to him

66.4

Dilshan to Marsh, no run, overpitched, pushed to deepish mid-off

66.5

Dilshan to Marsh, 1 run, on the pads, deflected to fine leg

66.6

Dilshan to Hussey, no run, full, on off, defended to extra cover

Barney: "All this talk of batsmen with averages of 200 or 300 is boring me. There must be some test players who batted but were never dismissed and will therefore have an average of infinity. Now that is an average!!"

67.1

Herath to Marsh, no run, full, flat, defended back

Spotted in the crowd: Laisth Malinga. How he would love to be able to play Tests

67.2

Herath to Marsh, no run, swept away fine, but can't beat short fine leg

67.3

Herath to Marsh, OUT, Bowled'im! His average falls to 111! A potential nelson has struck. Is this a break in concentration or a natural variation? It's a regulation offbreak from Herath, Marsh defends, but it doesn't turn in as much as he expects it to. The off stumps is left exposed, and pegged back

SE Marsh b Herath 81 (276m 207b 7x4 0x6) SR: 39.13

In comes the out-of-form Haddin. A slip, a silly point, a forward short leg welcome him

67.4

Herath to Haddin, no run, pitches leg, straightens,defended off the back foot

67.5

Herath to Haddin, no run, flighted outside off, left alone

67.6

Herath to Haddin, no run, pushed to cover off the front foot

Eranga comes back now

68.1

Eranga to Hussey, no run, pitches well outside off, angles further away, left alone

68.2

Eranga to Hussey, 2 runs, length ball on the pads, clipped away wide of deep square leg for a couple

68.3

Eranga to Hussey, no run, length ball, starts middle and off, angling away, defended to cover

"I do not sell fish and chips but my lifelong dream would be to average 200-odd, retire and then demand fee dimmers and flakes from wherever I travelled. It's the least I would expect." I can only respect you, Rob Noah

68.4

Eranga to Hussey, no run, wide outside off, left alone

Robert Brown: "well credit where it is due, Sri Lanka has stuck to the task well and really at no stage today could you say Australia has flowed with Runs, good stuff Sri Lanka"

68.5

Eranga to Hussey, no run, on middle and off now, driven to mid-off

68.6

Eranga to Hussey, no run, wide outside off, Hussey doesn't play at it

69.1

Herath to Haddin, no run, full on the pads, defended to mid-on

69.2

Herath to Haddin, no run, dead-bats this one to silly point

69.3

Herath to Haddin, no run, smothers the turn on this one

69.4

Herath to Haddin, 1 run, full on the pads, clipped away to get off the mark

69.5

Herath to Hussey, 1 run, Hussey sweeps this square, along the ground, gets a single

69.6

Herath to Haddin, no run, flighted outside off, left alone

70.1

Eranga to Hussey, 2 runs, on the pads, Hussey plays with soft hands, wide of square leg, rushes back for two

70.2

Eranga to Hussey, no run, angled well across him, left alone

70.3

Eranga to Hussey, no run, left alone outside off again, Hussey has been very good with what he wants to play and what he doesn't

70.4

Eranga to Hussey, no run, length ball, middle and leg, holds its line a touch, defended back to the bowler

70.5

Eranga to Hussey, no run, this literally the fifth-stump line, but he leaves it alone

70.6

Eranga to Hussey, 2 runs, even closer to off, this time he steers it to the left of third man, and steals a second

71.1

Herath to Haddin, no run, turns sharply, Haddin gets a bottom edge into the ground and then kicks the ball away to safeguard his stumps

71.2

Herath to Haddin, FOUR, beautiful... I don't think many play the straight loft better than Haddin in today's cricket. Lovely extension of the arms, smooth swing, and it is flying over long-on

71.3

Herath to Haddin, no run, lower trajectory, goes deep into the crease and defends

71.4

Herath to Haddin, 1 run, fired into the pads, in the inside edge gets them a single

71.5

Herath to Hussey, no run, Hussey chips down the track and pushes this to midwicket

71.6

Herath to Hussey, 1 run, this one he drives to long-on for a single

Time for the final drinks break of the day

72.1

Eranga to Hussey, no run, starts outside off, angling away, which is a waste of energy when Hussey is batting

72.2

Eranga to Hussey, no run, well wide of off stump, PJ does the rest

72.3

Eranga to Hussey, no run, makes him play this time, ending just outside off despite the angle, pushed to mid-off

72.4

Eranga to Hussey, no run, wide again, left alone again

72.5

Eranga to Hussey, no run, slower ball, on middle and leg, Hussey is early in the shot, hits it uppishly, but it falls well short of mid-on

72.6

Eranga to Hussey, no run, length ball, driven on the up, can't beat extra cover

73.1

Herath to Haddin, no run, full, around off, defended

73.2

Herath to Haddin, FOUR, another beautiful straight loft from Haddin. Lovely arc, dead straight, mid-off has no chance

73.3

Herath to Haddin, no run, flighted outside off, no need to play at it

73.4

Herath to Haddin, no run, flatter, quicker, pushed back to him

73.5

Herath to Haddin, no run, slightly higher trajectory, dead-batted off the front foot

73.6

Herath to Haddin, 1 run, full, driven to sweeper-cover for one

74.1

Eranga to Haddin, no run, nips back in a touch, Haddin stays back to defend this back

74.2

Eranga to Haddin, no run, this one holds its lien, takes a thick edges, which dies on its way to the diving Jayawardene at gully

74.3

Eranga to Haddin, no run, nicely punched away, can't beat point

74.4

Eranga to Haddin, no run, short of a length, outside off, defended back to the bowler

74.5

Eranga to Haddin, 3 runs, Haddin is playing some gorgeous shots here. This is wide and short of a length, and he smoothly punches this square, past point. Thirimanne gives chase, slides, and manages to get a finger between the ball and the boundary skirting

74.6

Eranga to Hussey, 2 runs, a good change-up delivery, full, near yorker, the inside edge evades the stumps

Welegedara replaces Herath

75.1

Welegedara to Haddin, 1 run, this one holds its line in front of the stumps, Haddin gets into a bit of a tangle, but clips this to long leg for one

75.2

Welegedara to Hussey, no run, shapes in towards Hussey, who defends this with an open face

75.3

Welegedara to Hussey, 1 run, slower ball, he plays in front of his body, but there is no cover in place to catch this. Yet again Hussey crosses fifty, well on his way to a possible Man-of-the-Series award. Acknowledges the applause from the balcony

75.4

Welegedara to Haddin, FOUR, Oof, Haddin can play! Lovely lovely straight-driving today. Length ball, meets it with a full face, sweetly follows through its line, and places it between the bowler and mid-off. All along the ground. Hussey is impressed

75.5

Welegedara to Haddin, no run, left alone outside off this time

75.6

Welegedara to Haddin, no run, short of a length, goes back and across to defend this

Herath gets a change of ends. Round the stumps. Short leg the only catching man

76.1

Herath to Hussey, 1 run, comes down the track, takes the single midwicket

A slip comes in for Haddin

76.2

Herath to Haddin, no run, tossed up outside off, left alone

76.3

Herath to Haddin, no run, this one doesn't turn away, takes the inside half of the Haddin bat

76.4

Herath to Haddin, no run, another straighter delivery, but this time Haddin has it covered

Over the wicket to Haddin

76.5

Herath to Haddin, no run, turning across him, defended off the back foot

76.6

Herath to Haddin, no run, low trajectory, turning towards middle and leg, defended from the crease

77.1

Dilshan to Hussey, no run, floated ball on the off stump. Hussey comes forward and pushes it to cover point

77.2

Dilshan to Hussey, no run, an action replay from the previous ball. Hussey comes forward to negate the turn and pushes it to cover point

77.3

Dilshan to Hussey, no run, this time Dilshan pulls the length back a bit and Hussey offers a flat face of the bat

77.4

Dilshan to Hussey, 1 run, flighted delivery this time as Hussey comes down the track and drives it to long-on for a single

77.5

Dilshan to Haddin, no run, short ball on the off and middle. HAddin pushes it back to the bowler

77.6

Dilshan to Haddin, no run, comes forward and plays it with a straight bat

78.1

Herath to Hussey, 1 run, pushes it faster this time as Hussey pushes it to point for a single

78.2

Herath to Haddin, no run, outside the off stump. Haddin comes forward and defends it yet again. He wants to be there when the new ball is taken

78.3

Herath to Haddin, 2 runs, wrong line as he bowls it on the leg stump. Haddin turns it to fine-leg for a couple

78.4

Herath to Haddin, no run, comes forward and pushes it to backward point

78.5

Herath to Haddin, no run, defends it to the off side

78.6

Herath to Haddin, no run, tossed up delivery. Haddin comes forward and defends it back to the bowler

79.1

Dilshan to Hussey, no run, outside the off stump and left all alone

79.2

Dilshan to Hussey, no run, comes forward and defends it to the off side

79.3

Dilshan to Hussey, FOUR, now that's short! Hussey rocks back and places it in between cover and extra-cover for a boundary

79.4

Dilshan to Hussey, no run, comes forward and defends it to extra-cover

79.5

Dilshan to Hussey, 1 run, flighted ball as Hussey drives it to sweeper cover for a single

79.6

Dilshan to Haddin, no run, comes forward and drives it back to the bowler

The new ball has been taken. Welegedara to bowl.

80.1

Welegedara to Hussey, FOUR, and Hussey attacks the new ball with a cracking pull through midwicket

80.2

Welegedara to Hussey, no run, defended to the off side

80.3

Welegedara to Hussey, no run, left alone outside off

80.4

Welegedara to Hussey, 1 run, steered away wide of gully for a run

80.5

Welegedara to Haddin, no run, Haddin defends to the leg side

80.6

Welegedara to Haddin, no run, pushed away to gully along the ground

Lakmal will share the new ball

81.1

Lakmal to Hussey, no run, starts just outside off, angling away, left alone by Hussey

81.2

Lakmal to Hussey, no run, length ball on middle and leg, defended back to the bowler

5.50pm It's officially stumps. I am not sure if Sri Lanka can afford to be the happier side with Hussey still in there, looking solid as ever. Sri Lanka toiled hard, although three of the wickets came to loose irresponsible shots. It sets up an interesting day two, where we should start about 17 minutes early to make up for the time lost today. Do join us then. This is Sidharth Monga saying goodbye. Also apologies for the technical glitch minutes before stumps because of which you lost about three overs of commentary

5.43pm With 17 minutes to go to stumps, we are going off for bad light. I doubt if it will improve. The day has been hit by weather. Two rain delays and then bad light have robbed us of about nine overs. Unless they come back and play again

9.45 am Play is about to begin. Hussey and Haddin follow the Sri Lankans to the middle of the SSC. Hussey to face, Lakmal has four balls to go. A steady breeze blowing across the ground. Two slips and a gully. Three in the circle on the off side.

9.30 am The weather at the moment is fair in Colombo. Sun, white clouds and patches of blue in the sky. Let's hope it stays that way. There was no rain overnight either.

Ricky Ponting is telling Tony Grieg how thrilled he was to be back home for the birth of his daughter. "There are some things you can't miss in your personal life." He's also saying how meticulously the Australian team management monitors how their players are doing in the heat and humidity of Sri Lanka. "You can't take a walk without breaking into a sweat," Ponting says. Stay hydrated. Always. Even if you aren't a cricketer.

"I think Australia would be happy with anything north of 350 after being sent in. Anything above that a real bonus. SL need early wickets, if not they won't bat till tea time," says Alvin.

Andrew: "An exciting prospect today - we could see Mike Hussey cross 5000 runs in Tests. Hussey has also played 10 less Tests than Michael Clarke and is already nearer to the landmark of 5000." Hussey is on 4965 at present.

Ross: "Haddin really needs to prove himself now, and make use of the start he's given himself. Else he could very soon be making his spot vacant for other prospective Test wicket-keepers."

9.15 am Hello and welcome to ESPNcricinfo's ball-by-ball coverage of the second day of the SSC Test. Australia recovered from 120 for 4 to end day 1 in a healthy position at 235 for 5. But as Geoff Boycott always says, add two wickets to the score and see if it still looks okay. Sri Lanka will want to bat as soon as possible.

Micgyver is the first publishable emailer of the day: "Don't count your chickens yet Lankan fans, expecting some big innings from Hussey, Haddin and Johnson, the latter 2 due for significant scores ... Aussies to post 500+."

***

81.3

Lakmal to Hussey, no run, full ball just outside off stump, Hussey stays in his crease and lets it go through to the keeper

Ryan: "Can't believe some of the comments regarding Marsh after two faultless innings. Comments about his first class record are not on the mark as his last 3 years have been very good averging 50+. Don't forget that Mike Hussey actually has a very poor record in Aust first class cricket (around 35) with his averaging being brought up by stints in England where he averages about 75. Marsh is a far better player than his first 5 years in first class cricket."

81.4

Lakmal to Hussey, no run, good length and the line is a fraction closer to the left-hander outside off stump, Hussey thinks about playing it and then decides against it

81.5

Lakmal to Hussey, 3 runs, full length and this time the line is too close to off stump to leave, Hussey moves forward and drives through cover point

81.6

Lakmal to Haddin, no run, that would have been a good ball to Hussey, but Haddin is a right-hander, so Jayawardene has to move towards his left to collect down leg side

Welegedara will share the second new ball this morning.

82.1

Welegedara to Hussey, no run, good length outside off, Hussey plants a foot forward and lets the ball go

82.2

Welegedara to Hussey, no run, good length and closer to the batsman, Hussey stays in his crease and defends on the off side

82.3

Welegedara to Hussey, 2 runs, that's too short and Hussey swivels and pulls towards deep square leg, where Eranga runs to his right, covers good ground and picks up the ball with one hand

82.4

Welegedara to Hussey, no run, defended on the front foot towards the bowler

82.5

Welegedara to Hussey, no run, goog length but the line is too wide for Hussey to play a shot

82.6

Welegedara to Hussey, 2 runs, short of a length outside off, Hussey moves back and pushes the ball into the gap at cover point

83.1

Lakmal to Haddin, 1 run, Haddin gets going this morning by clipping one off his pads behind square

83.2

Lakmal to Hussey, no run, good length but the ball angles across Hussey from over the wicket and he lets it pass

83.3

Lakmal to Hussey, no run, too wide outside off from Lakmal, Hussey doesn't bother with it

Lakmal goes round the wicket ...

83.4

Lakmal to Hussey, 1 run, he pitches slightly short and angles the ball into Hussey, who swivels and pulls towards deep square. He didn't time that well

83.5

Lakmal to Haddin, FOUR, edged but short of gully! Lakmal went over the wicket to the right-hander and bowled a full ball just outside off, which moved away a touch. Haddin drove hard from his crease and sliced the ball hard and low towards gully

83.6

Lakmal to Haddin, 1 run, full length and on the pads, Haddin tries to flick but doesn't make proper contact

A pretty hot start to the day. The Australians will be feeling this heat, as will the Sri Lankans, but they'll be used to it. The sun will dry up whatever moisture is there and batting should become easier.

84.1

Welegedara to Haddin, FOUR, sublime cover drive. Haddin moves forward to a full ball outside off and punches it superbly through the gap in the infield. High elbow and he held that pose for the cameras.

84.2

Welegedara to Haddin, no run, defended on the back foot towards the off

84.3

Welegedara to Haddin, no run, played off the back foot towards point

84.4

Welegedara to Haddin, no run, short of a length and straight, Haddin gets behind the line and blocks

84.5

Welegedara to Haddin, no run, Haddin moves back and pushes a length delivery towards the off side

84.6

Welegedara to Haddin, FOUR, edged wide of second slip and there's no third slip! Haddin reached out for one and tried to drive it through cover though the length wasn't that full. He got a thick edge that flew safely past the diving Jayawardene at second slip

85.1

Lakmal to Hussey, no run, left alone outside off stump

85.2

Lakmal to Hussey, FOUR, another terrific drive, from Hussey this time. He leans forward to a full ball outside off and drives fluently all along the ground through extra cover

These two have added runs quickly this morning.

85.3

Lakmal to Hussey, no run, Lakmal pitches outside off from round the wicket and angles the ball in, Hussey moves forward and lifts his bat out of the way

85.4

Lakmal to Hussey, FOUR, that's awfully short, and Hussey is so quick to judge the length that he could have played two pull shots. He moved back and thumped it in front of square, all along the ground

85.5

Lakmal to Hussey, no run, full ball outside off, Hussey drives the ball in the air and it goes quickly to the fielder at short cover, he yells as the ball hit his hand, it fell just short I think

85.6

Lakmal to Hussey, no run, defended on the front foot towards the bowler

86.1

Eranga to Haddin, no run, good length and wide outside off, Haddin lets it go

86.2

Eranga to Haddin, no run, short of a length and wide outside off, Haddin chases it and misses the square cut

86.3

Eranga to Haddin, no run, fuller length and the line is closer to off stump, Haddin prods and gets beaten

86.4

Eranga to Haddin, no run, another good ball just outside off, Haddin defends

86.5

Eranga to Haddin, OUT, loud appeal for caught behind and Haddin's been given, he isn't happy with the decision and asks for a review. The ball pitched on a good length outside off and seamed away a touch, Haddin did not come forward and pushed at it. There was a noise as it passed the bat and there's no conclusive evidence to suggest there was no edge. Haddin has to go. An odd one. You'd assume no batsman would review if he had nicked it, so either he didn't or he didn't know he did.

BJ Haddin c †HAPW Jayawardene b Eranga 35 (85m 57b 6x4 0x6) SR: 61.40

Johnson is the new batsman ...

Django: "This pitch is playing like an Aussie pitch. Really coming on to the bat nicely. Yesterday it seemed a bit slow."

86.6

Eranga to Johnson, no run, Johnson lets one go as the ball angles across his off stump from over the wicket

87.1

Lakmal to Hussey, no run, full length but much too wide outside off, Hussey lets it go

87.2

Lakmal to Hussey, no run, wide outside off once again, Hussey lets it go again

87.3

Lakmal to Hussey, 1 run, short of a length around off stump, Hussey moves back and opens the face to guide the ball behind point

87.4

Lakmal to Johnson, no run, good length outside off, Johnson stays in his crease and lets it go

Smudgeon: "George - how's Mitch looking? smiling, broad shouldered? or slouched in a corner? he's a confidence player, if he looks good with the bat he's probably going to fire with the ball...long overdue."

87.5

Lakmal to Johnson, no run, that defence was solid, got behind the line nicely and blocked it with the middle of his straight bat

87.6

Lakmal to Johnson, no run, a bouncer and Johnson ducks under it, saw it early and let it easily

Adam: "There was certainly no conclusive evidence either way from that review; it's good that the umpire's decision stood. I can't help but feel Haddin wouldn't have reviewed that if they only had one review left."

88.1

Eranga to Hussey, no run, defended on the front foot towards the bowler

88.2

Eranga to Hussey, 1 run, Hussey moves smoothly on to the front foot and drives the ball towards the left of mid-off for a single

88.3

Eranga to Johnson, no run, good length on off stump, Johnson takes a small stride forward and punches the ball firmly towards the off where it is intercepted by the fielder at short cover

88.4

Eranga to Johnson, no run, he had the width to free his arms there and he tried, perhaps a little half-heartedly, and mis-timed the drive towards short cover

88.5

Eranga to Johnson, no run, interesting one this. Johnson got hit high on the pad after the ball pitched outside leg stump. Eranga, the bowler, began to appeal for the lbw (which wasn't out) and then the fielders in the cordon went up for the catch after the ball lobbed towards second slip and was caught by Sangakkara diving forward. Did that carry? It just did. The umpire says not out to everything. Sri Lanka have no reviews left. Don't think it hit the bat. Might have hit both pads.

88.6

Eranga to Johnson, no run, defended on the back foot

89.1

Lakmal to Hussey, 1 run, driven on the front foot toward the off side where a fumble allows the single

89.2

Lakmal to Johnson, no run, Johnson lets the ball go outside off

89.3

Lakmal to Johnson, no run, good length and straight, Johnson stays in his crease, gets behind the line and defends, he hasn't scored as yet

89.4

Lakmal to Johnson, 1 run, he's off the mark now, nudging a length ball off his pads through square leg

89.5

Lakmal to Hussey, no run, full ball around off stump, played from the crease towards cover

After the Haddin review, Paul Marsh, CEO of the Australian Cricketers' Association tweeted: "Technology being used in this series for DRS is simply not good enough. Time for ICC & Boards to invest some money & get it right." The old debate reignited.

89.6

Lakmal to Hussey, no run, a sharp short ball, Hussey shapes up to pull and then decides to drop his wrists and let the ball go

90.1

Eranga to Johnson, no run, good length delivery outside off, Johnson shoulders arms

90.2

Eranga to Johnson, FOUR, Johnson's hammered this. He had the width to drive and the length was full too. Johnson freed those arms and drilled the ball through cover

90.3

Eranga to Johnson, no run, much closer to the off stump, Eranga pitches in line and angles it across from over the wicket, Johnson lets it go. He's a different batsman when he has the freedom to swing, and when he doesn't

90.4

Eranga to Johnson, no run, the bouncer, Johnson attempts the hook and gets beaten, the keeper leaps to collect it

90.5

Eranga to Johnson, no run, the slower ball, the length is fuller too, Johnson spots it and defends

Liam: "Cleary Hot Spot would have given us the correct decision on Haddin's caught behind whether it was out or not out." But if you've been following the India-England series, a few edges haven't shown up, or maybe they weren't edges at all. Who can tell.

90.6

Eranga to Johnson, no run, Johnson tries to drive but gets an inside edge on the leg side

The players have just finished a drinks break. It's hot and humid in Colombo so they will need plenty of fluids. Australia have scored 38 runs in 9.4 overs today for the loss of Haddin. Dilshan has the ball, ahead of the specialist spinners.

91.1

Dilshan to Hussey, no run, left alone outside off

91.2

Dilshan to Hussey, no run, Hussey strides forward and defends one angled into him from round the wicket

91.3

Dilshan to Hussey, 1 run, pushed off the back foot through cover

Mid-on and mid-off up for Johnson, both are deepish though.

91.4

Dilshan to Johnson, 1 run, full ball and straight, Johnson drives to mid-on and takes the single

91.5

Dilshan to Hussey, 1 run, Hussey pushes towards cover and runs

91.6

Dilshan to Johnson, no run, Johnson moves forward and blocks

92.1

Eranga to Hussey, no run, full ball around off, Hussey moves forward and defends

92.2

Eranga to Hussey, no run, good length close to off stump, left alone by the batsman

92.3

Eranga to Hussey, FOUR, short of a length just outside off, Hussey waits and opens the face of the bat late to thread the ball through the cordon with supreme control. There's no third man

92.4

Eranga to Hussey, 1 run, the slower ball is a touch straight and Hussey nudges off his pads for one

92.5

Eranga to Johnson, no run, Johnson gets behind the line of a good length delivery and defends

92.6

Eranga to Johnson, 1 run, Johnson drives straight but doesn't time it well, mid-off runs to his left and fields

Michael: "It seems the DRS issue cannot be escaped from. The fact that there is an issue at all, suggests that we need to go back to the days of the umpires decision being final, until such time that DRS can provide a comprehensive, unquestionable result to contentious decisions. By relying on the consistency of umpires, we paradoxically rely on the consistency of human error. And I'm ok with that for now.

93.1

Dilshan to Johnson, no run, Johnson goes back to a short ball and hits it hard but straight to the fielder at cover

93.2

Dilshan to Johnson, no run, played back to the bowler

93.3

Dilshan to Johnson, no run, Johnson moves forward and defends on the off

93.4

Dilshan to Johnson, no run, Johnson comes on to the front foot and blocks

93.5

Dilshan to Johnson, 1 run, pushed towards mid-off for a single, the fielder is deep

93.6

Dilshan to Hussey, 1 run, tossed up, Hussey takes it on the full and clips towards midwicket

Scott: "@Smudgeon, although I agree about Johnson's mood, I believe Johnson is made out to be a worse player than he is. He did get 2/47 last Test and is really quick. Add his batting, and I think he'd make any international team at the moment."

Hussey is on 90 in this innings and on 4992 career runs.

94.1

Welegedara to Hussey, no run, short of a length outside off, Hussey strides forward and lets it go

94.2

Welegedara to Hussey, FOUR, make that 4996. A short, wide, hit-me-please ball. Hussey obliged with a fierce square cut that raced to the boundary

94.3

Welegedara to Hussey, FOUR, 5000 Test runs for Hussey! This time the ball is not that wide but Hussey cuts it late and through the cordon for another boundary

94.4

Welegedara to Hussey, no run, left alone outside off stump

94.5

Welegedara to Hussey, 1 run, Hussey moves forward and pushes the ball wide of the fielder at mid-on to move to 99

94.6

Welegedara to Johnson, no run, Johnson decides to leave one that angles into him from round the wicket and goes over his stumps. Brave decision!

Shawry: "There is only one question to ask on DRS. Does it lead to more correct decisions? If the answer is yes, then use it. Clearly it does already so it should be in use in every match. It does not have to be 100% correct, merely support the umpires when there is doubt and overturn the howler."

Luke: "Geez, the pitches in Sri Lanka must be playing like the WACA. Perhaps the only way you explain the two Western Australians successes compared to those of the other blokes."

Herath into the attack ...

95.1

Herath to Hussey, no run, Hussey comes forward and plays to midwicket

95.2

Herath to Hussey, no run, Hussey comes out of his crease and hits the ball on to his boot

Herath stops during his run-up, trying to see what Hussey is up to.

95.3

Herath to Hussey, no run, defended on the back foot on the off side

95.4

Herath to Hussey, no run, played off the back foot towards the off

95.5

Herath to Hussey, no run, ah that was a touch shorter and Hussey played it to midwicket

95.6

Herath to Hussey, no run, defended solidly on the front foot, Herath bowls a maiden over to Hussey on 99, over to Johnson

96.1

Welegedara to Johnson, no run, short of a length angling into the left-hander from over the wicket, Johnson plays off the back foot towards the bowler

96.2

Welegedara to Johnson, OUT, caught at point! The ball from Welegedara is short of a length and rather wide outside off, Johnson could have hit that hard through cover but he just opened the face and spooned it gently towards point instead, an easy catch for Herath

MG Johnson c Herath b Welegedara 8 (42m 29b 1x4 0x6) SR: 27.58

Smudgeon: "Scott - believe me, I am a huge fan of Mitch, and I agree a lot of the doubters seem to miss the fact he still picks up wickets when he's having his off days. I also notice that when he has a good day with the bat (ie. Perth Ashes test), he carries that confidence through with the ball. And when he gets it right with the ball, it's freakishly good to watch."

Peter Siddle walks in at No. 9.

96.3

Welegedara to Siddle, OUT, caught at first slip! Welegedara angles a good length ball across the right-hander, Siddle pokes tentatively at it and edges to first slip. Another easy catch. Siddle looks back at Hussey, who's at the other end on 99, before walking off.

PM Siddle c Paranavitana b Welegedara 0 (2m 1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00

Welegedara is on a hat-trick. Two wickets to go in Australia's innings. Surely Hussey won't get stranded on 99? Amid all this drama, Sri Lanka have done well to fight back this morning. Trent Copeland to face the hat-trick ball.

96.4

Welegedara to Copeland, no run, length delivery that pitches in line with the stumps, Copeland gets behind the line and blocks

96.5

Welegedara to Copeland, no run, Copeland plays a fluent cover drive to a fuller ball outside off, Mathews stops it at short cover

96.6

Welegedara to Copeland, no run, a bouncer to end the over, Copeland lets it go over his head

We've had two maidens since Hussey got to 99, and two wickets as well. He's facing Herath ...

97.1

Herath to Hussey, no run, Hussey sweeps and that would have been his century if the ball hadn't crashed into the fielder at short leg

97.2

Herath to Hussey, no run, Hussey comes down the track to get to the pitch of the ball and hits it towards midwicket, can't find the gap

97.3

Herath to Hussey, no run, comes down the pitch again and plays it to short midwicket

97.4

Herath to Hussey, 1 run, there is it! Test century No. 15 for Michael Hussey. He gets there with a nudge off his pads behind square. His team-mates applaud as he takes off his helmet to celebrate, and cool down a touch.

97.5

Herath to Copeland, no run, left alone outside off stump

97.6

Herath to Copeland, 1 run, Copeland nudges the ball towards square and runs

Madhu pops up with a timely stat: "Hussey's century is his fourth in the subcontinent and brings him level third on list of Australian batsmen with most centuries in the subcontinent. Allan Border with six and Ricky Ponting (5) are above Hussey. Hussey, however, has the highest average among all Australian batsmen who have scored at least 1000 runs in Asia."

98.1

Welegedara to Copeland, no run, fuller length outside off, Copeland lets it go through to the keeper

Tony Grieg says on Ten Sports that Hussey is one of two players to average more than 50 in Tests and ODIs. The other is Trott, Jonathan Trott.

98.2

Welegedara to Copeland, no run, defended on the front foot on the leg side

98.3

Welegedara to Copeland, OUT, caught at second slip! Copeland has a flash at one that angles across him from over the wicket. He edges it hard but straight to Mahela Jayawardene at second slip and he's taken far harder catches than this. That was a low catch though, Jayawardene got his fingers under the ball just in time. Copeland seemed to take Jayawardene's word for it after he claimed the catch

TA Copeland c DPMD Jayawardene b Welegedara 1 (9m 8b 0x4 0x6) SR: 12.50

I wonder if Hussey has bothered drilling it into his partners' heads that someone needs to stay with him. Dan Brettig tells me this pitch has got much easier to bat on. "Aussies miles short of a good score here," he says.

98.4

Welegedara to Lyon, no run, defended towards the off side

98.5

Welegedara to Lyon, no run, Lyon keeps another one out

98.6

Welegedara to Lyon, no run, wide outside off stump, Lyon survives by not chasing it

The field is spread for Hussey.

99.1

Herath to Hussey, no run, full ball on leg and middle from over the wicket, Hussey plays on the leg side and refuses the single

99.2

Herath to Hussey, 2 runs, outside off stump this time and Hussey unfurls the reverse-paddle, placing it into the gap at third man to retain strike

99.3

Herath to Hussey, 1 run, Hussey moves forward and clips the ball through square leg for a single

Hussey's sitting on his haunches at the non-striker's end. If he's tired, it's a hot day.

99.4

Herath to Lyon, no run, Lyon defends on the front foot on the leg side

99.5

Herath to Lyon, no run, Lyon strides forward and defends on the off

99.6

Herath to Lyon, no run, Herath tosses it up invitingly outside off, Lyon resists and lets the ball go