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Australia took the steering wheel at the end of the second day of the Melbourne Test match against Sri Lanka as they took a 284-run lead in the first innings.
We’ll bring you the live scores of the action throughout this game, with the third day starting at 10.30am AEDT (Dec 28th).
Sri Lanka were left to do the chasing after their batsmen played some ridiculous shots on the first day. Rubbing salts into their open wounds was a below-par fielding effort.
A cautious Australian side resumed from 3/150 in the second day and ended at 8/440 with Michael Clarke carving out a carefully-constructed century to become the highest-scoring Aussie in a calendar year.
He had valuable support from overnight unbeaten Shane Watson, who should have gone on to score his hundred as well – out hooking for 83.
Mitchell Johnson provided strong support from the tail, and was still at the crease when the stumps were drawn. He’ll be looking for his second century today.
Australia did not lose a single wicket in the first session of the second day with both the overnight batsmen going into lunch having crossed their respective fifties.
Clarke took off from there and completed his third century this summer after lunch before becoming the first casualty of the day.
Watson began to show aggressive intent after lunch but he perished in a manner not too different from his former opening partner, Dave Warner; pulling one straight to deep square-leg.
After Matthew Wade hooked Dhammika Prasad to fine-leg for one, there were useful contributions from Michael Hussey and Peter Siddle, both of who helped Johnson get to his half-century. Johnson will resume on 73, looking for his second Test match ton.
The Sri Lankan bowlers, specifically Rangana Herath, fought hard, but successes were few and far between.
Herath was unfortunate not to have anything to show for his 39-over marathon. The little spinner was worked hard and could have easily had three wickets or more had his wicketkeeper and fielders been on song.
Later he grabbed what was easily one of the best catches you would see at long-on to send back Hussey.
With a lead of more than 300 staring at the Sri Lankan faces, it will need them to bat out of their skins to keep the Aussies at bay and from running away with an early 2-0 series win.
We will bring you the live coverage throughout the game from the MCG and hope to receive your opinions as the action unfolds.
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