Debutant Marsh, Hussey lift Australia

Left-hander Shaun Marsh scored a half century on his Test debut on the second day of the second Test against Sri Lanka, on Friday, as Australia took a 90-run first innings lead before bad light halted play shortly after tea.

Australia were 264 for three when the day's play ended, with Marsh, who replaced Ricky Ponting, unbeaten on 87, and Michael Hussey on 76.

Only 4.3 overs were bowled in the final session 

Resuming at 133 for three after the lunch, Marsh scored patiently and slowly, playing a supporting role to his experienced partner Hussey.

Hussey scored his 26th Test half-century in style.

Sri Lanka's bowlers toiled, and captain Tillakaratne Dilshan used seven bowlers including himself and part timers Kumar Sangakkara and Thilan Samaraweera without any success in the second session.

In the first session, fast bowler Suranga Lakmal and spinner Suraj Randiv dismissed the Australian openers.

Lakmal bowled Shane Watson (36) with his second ball of the day which the batsman wrongly decided to leave as he was dismissed without his team adding to the overnight score of 60.

Randiv then dismissed Phillip Hughes also for 36 when Tharanga Paranavitana jumped forward from short-leg to hold a bat-and-pad catch.

Australia captain Michael Clarke then added a quick 13 runs in 20 balls before being excellently caught by Mahela Jayawardene at second slip off Chanaka Welegedara when the total was 116.

On Thursday, Sri Lanka were skittled out for 174 runs having won the toss.

Australia won the first Test of the three-match series in Galle by 125 runs.

 Sri Lanka (1st innings): 174

Australia (1st innings):
S. Watson b Lakmal 36
P. Hughes c Paranavitana b Randiv 36
S. Marsh not out 87
M. Clarke c M. Jayawardene b Welegedara 13
M. Hussey not out 76
Extras: (lb9, nb6) 16
Total: (for three wickets in 91.3 overs) 264

Fall of wickets: 1-60, 2-95, 3-116.

Bowling: Welegedara 13-2-45-1, Lakmal 14.3-2-60-1, Prasanna 18-2-62-0, Dilshan 14-4-32-0, Randiv 29-6-49-1, Sangakkara 2-0-4-0, Samaraweera 1-0-3-0.

Photograph: Reuters