PHOTOS: Welegedera keeps Australia under check

Phil Hughes made a solid 86 on his return to Test cricket before Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey took up the running and steered Australia to 299 for four at close of play on the first day of the first Test against Sri Lanka on Friday.

-Hughes shines as Australia reach 299-4

"Overall, 299 for four puts the ball in our court," said Hughes. "I thought we were outstanding today. It really gives us momentum going into tomorrow."

On the ground where his second spell as a Test batsman ended amid questions about his technique after two failures against New Zealand last year, Hughes scored eight fours and one six in his 166-ball knock before Welegedera struck with a superb ball.

"It was nice to get a few," he said. "It would have been nice to get a few more and get into three figures."

Clarke, who had made 70 not out, and Hussey, unbeaten on 37, batted through the remainder of the day and if the evidence of their prolific partnerships in the recent series against South Africa is anything to go by, will take some shifting.

Clarke, who passed 1,400 runs for the year, has now put on 731 runs in partnerships with Hussey in the last four Tests and will be looking to plunder a few more on Saturday despite taking a couple of painful knocks to his legs.

Australia had lost openers Ed Cowan (four) and David Warner in the opening session, the latter run out for 57 on the stroke of lunch after a calamitous misunderstanding with Hughes.

"I think we showed we can put Australia under pressure and hopefully the bowlers will be fresh in the morning and we can get them out for less than 100 additional runs," said Welegedera, who finished with 3-99 on his return after nine months out injured.