November 11, 2007	Sunday	Shawwal 29, 1428

BRISBANE, Nov 10: Inspired by the hostility of fast bowler Brett Lee, Australia closed in for the kill after enforcing the follow-on on Sri Lanka on the third day of the first Test at the Gabba here on Saturday.

The tourists, who were bowled out for 211 in their first innings in reply to Australia’s massive 551-4 declared, were 80 for two in the second innings and were still trailing by 260 runs at stumps.

Following on after being 340 runs behind on the first innings, Sri Lanka will rely heavily captain Mahela Jayawardene (eight not out) and Michael Vandort (15 not out) when play resumes on Sunday.

Andrew Symonds’ part-time medium-pacers had opener Marvan Atapattu caught behind for 16 and Lee picked up the dangerous Sanath Jayasuriya, caught at second slip for a hard-hitting 39, to pile on the misery for the tourists late on a one-sided day’s play at the Gabba.

Earlier, Lee led Australia’s pacemen as they skittled the Sri Lankan batting lineup for 211 in 81.5 overs in their first innings.

Having turned 31 on Thursday and inspired by the challenge of being Australia’s strike weapon following Glenn McGrath’s retirement, Lee took the amazing figures of 4-26 from 17.5 overs in Sri Lanka’s first-innings collapse.

Ricky Ponting enforced the follow-on for only the second time in his 36 Tests as captain.

Queensland left-arm quick Mitchell Johnson took 2-49 in a solid debut performance while Stuart Clark was his usual reliable self with 2-46.

Leg-spinner Stuart MacGill took 1-79 to move to 199 Test wickets.

Sri Lanka lost three wickets in the morning session to be five for 124 at lunch.

Johnson, playing on his home ground for his Test debut, was surrounded by team-mates after getting his first career scalp as Thilan Samaraweera (13) edged through to wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist at 4-65. Clark had removed Mahela Jayawardene (14) 20 runs earlier.

Chamara Silva (40) and Atapattu shared a 54-run stand but Silva was caught at third man off the bowling of Clark shortly before lunch.

Sri Lankan opener Marvan Atapattu (51) top-edged a pull shot off the bowling of Johnson with Phil Jaques taking the catch at square leg, Australia’s only success in the middle session.

But Sri Lanka’s resistance crumbled after tea with Andrew Symonds getting through the defences of Farveez Maharoof (21) and MacGill bowling left-hander Chaminda Vaas through bat and pad for eight.

Lee wrapped up the innings with wickets in consecutive overs, trapping wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene lbw for 37 before Dilhara Fernando was caught at mid-on for seven.