Colombo, Sept 19: Phil Hughes scored his first test half-century in more than 18 months as Australia narrowed its second innings deficit to 30, reaching 127 for two against Sri Lanka at tea on the fourth day Monday.
Hughes was not out on 78, with Ricky Ponting yet to score. The left-hander faced 107 balls, hitting a six and 11 fours, and added 62 runs for the first wicket with Shane Watson (21), who fell lbw to spinner Rangana Herath.
Herath also accounted for Shaun Marsh for 18 in unusual circumstances. Marsh, who made 81 in the first innings, played forward to Herath and was adjudged caught at forward short-leg. Television replays suggested the ball had missed both bat and glove—though the batsman, surprisingly, did not ask for a review.
Earlier, Angelo Mathews made an unbeaten on 105 -- his maiden test century—before Sri Lanka was dismissed for 473 in its first innings, securing a 157-run lead.
Sri Lanka resumed the day on 428-6, but lost its last four wickets for 45 runs. Mathews faced 269 balls in a restrained innings, scoring 10 boundaries.
Looking for an elusive test century having been dismissed previously for 99 and 95, Mathews was again facing the prospect of missing out as wickets fell quickly at the other end.
Passing up several singles in order to protect last man Suranga Lakmal, Mathews stepped out and hit seamer Peter Siddle past extra-cover to complete his century. He punched the air and jumped in celebration.
Siddle bowled overnight batsman Shaminda Eranga in the third over of the morning for 12 and trapped Herath lbw five overs after.
Chanaka Welegedara was run out when Mathews changed his mind after calling for a single—leaving both batsmen stranded at the same end.
Siddle returned figures of 4-91, with fellow seamers Trent Copeland and Mitchell Johnson picking up two wickets each.
Captain Tillakaratne Dilshan (83), Kumar Sangakkara (79) and Mahela Jayawardene (51) made important contributions to Sri Lanka's score in reply to Australia's first innings 316.
Australia leads the three-match series 1-0.AP
