AN Usman Khawaja century helped Australia to a first innings lead after day two of their tour match against the Sri Lanka Board XI in Colombo.
The Pakistan-born left-hander reached 101 yesterday before retiring as Australia accumulated 5-311, a lead of 53 runs, in the three-day match at the P Sara Oval. It was a significant innings for Khawaja and puts him in a strong position to take the number six spot ahead of Shaun Marsh for the first Test against Sri Lanka, which starts on Wednesday.
Marsh, batting at number five, could only manage 12 before he was dismissed.
Earlier, Phil Hughes (76) and Khawaja had resumed at 0-26 and added another 94 to get through to lunch.
Hughes was gone not long after the break, bowled around his legs by off-spinner Tharanga Paranavitana (1-10) with the score on 153.
It was a more patient finish to his innings for Hughes, who hit 52 off 145 balls on day two after making a blistering start prior to stumps on Thursday.
Khawaja reached his ton with a six and a single, before he retired after his 209-ball innings.
Mike Hussey (28) produced a scratchy innings before being stumped and when Marsh followed it was 4-237.
Captain Michael Clarke is unbeaten after producing an attacking 61 off 77 balls, including six fours and a six.
Brad Haddin (16) was caught in the gully by Thilan Samaraweera off Thisara Perera (1-60) to bring Peter Siddle to the crease and he negotiated his way to 13 before stumps.
Australia will resume the final day with the bat before most likely giving spinners Nathan Lyon and Michael Beer another chance to impress. (CA website)