KANDY, March 18: Damien Martyn ground out an unbeaten 104 as Australia reached 320 for five in their second innings before torrential rain washed out the third day of the second Test against Sri Lanka on Thursday.
Australia, resuming on 211 for two after conceding a 91-run first-innings deficit, extended their overall lead to 229 before play ended 46 overs early during the afternoon.
Martyn, dropped twice, batted defensively for a marathon seventh Test hundred that spanned more than six-and-a-half hours. It was his second consecutive century in the series, further repaying the selectors faith after his 25-month spell without a three-figure score.
"It was just enjoyable to bat for a long time as, from the captain's point of view, today was about grinding out as many as we can," Martyn told reporters after facing 274 balls.
"We had to fight and occupy the crease and bat as long as we could to make up for the lost ground." His watchful innings frustrated off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who ended the day with one for 126, his only success the wicket of Adam Gilchrist for 144.
"We have all got different game plans to play him and all the batsmen have played him pretty well," Martyn added. "We have been positive but have also been patient, which you have to be over here."
All-rounder Andrew Symonds was unbeaten on six after a difficult 52 minutes at the crease when bad light and rain interrupted play halfway through the afternoon.
Australia lead the three-match series 1-0. Left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas was Sri Lanka's most successful bowler, taking three for 78 from 24 overs. Muralitharan trapped Gilchrist lbw in the fourth over of the day to end a 200-run partnership for the third wicket.
Gilchrist, promoted to number three after Ricky Ponting injured his back, faced 185 balls and hit 19 fours and three sixes. Lehmann played positively, hitting four boundaries in his 21, before Chaminda Vaas trapped him lbw with an inswinger to leave Australia 255 for four.
Ponting (27), who was able to bat after an intensive 24 hours of physiotherapy, added 49 in 113 balls with Martyn for the fifth wicket. Sri Lanka took the new ball in the 88th over of the innings and broke through after lunch when umpire Dave Orchard gave Ponting out caught behind although the ball appeared to flick his pad.
"Today's cricket was really tough and there were no easy runs or wickets out there," Sri Lanka coach John Dyson said. "For me, this match is still on a knife-edge. "If we get one out early tomorrow morning then we are right back in the game."
Scoreboard
AUSTRALIA (1st Innings) 120 (M.L. Hayden 54; M. Muralitharan 4-48, D.N.T. Zoysa 4-54).
SRI LANKA (1st Innings) 211 (W.P.U.J.C. Vaas 68 not out; S.K. Warne 5-65, M.S. Kasprowicz 4-83).
