Australia were finally dismissed late in the day for 273, after losing wickets at frequent intervals. Most batsmen made a start and many a promising partnership was formed, but the Sri Lankan bowlers kept chipping away on a pitch that never made it easy for the batsmen. Consequently, only two Australians made it to 30, and only one to 50. Perhaps not surprisingly, it was the old hands leading the way. Mike Hussey was last out, trying to eke a century out of the tail, only to fall for 95 as he tried to force the pace with the last man in. Ricky Ponting, freed of the burden of captaincy, looked set for a big score before playing a rash shot off the spinner Herath. Hughes and Khawaja made 12 and 21, while Watson, Clarke and Haddin all went for twenties. There were some soft dismissals, but the bowlers did enough to deserve rewards, and the pitch was accommodating to spinners and swing bowlers alike, with Herath and Lakmal both finishing with three wickets.
Scorecard here.
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