SYDNEY, June 25: Glenn McGrath failed to press his case for an Australia recall as Kumara Sangakkara led a Sri Lanka fightback against Northern Territory with an unbeaten 163 in Darwin on Friday.

Fast bowler McGrath, warned to start performing if he wants to regain his place after injury, failed to take a wicket as Sri Lanka closed the second day on 304 for five in reply to the home side's first-innings 419.

Sangakkara struck 18 boundaries and a six and faced 220 balls. He put on 134 with Sanath Jayasuriya (64) for the first wicket.

Unlike McGrath, uncapped Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga gave his selectors food for thought with six for 90.

McGrath, however, who conceded 49 off 15 overs and who has not played a Test since July 2003, was satisfied.

"If I go out there and take a few wickets tomorrow I'll be pretty happy but this game is more about the process getting everything right," McGrath told reporters.

"If I can get that feel back to the way it has been in the past then that's all I'm after out of this game."

McGrath did make a rare contribution with the bat, however, scoring 31 not out after Northern Territory, a team made up of local amateur players but strengthened by Test players Justin Langer, Simon Katich and McGrath, resumed on 364 for seven.

The four-day match is Sri Lanka's only warm-up before next month's two Tests with Australia in Darwin and Cairns.

Scoreboard

Northern Territory (1st innings) (overnight 364-7)

J.Langer b Maharoof 151

I.Redpath c Sangakkara b Malinga 0

S.Katich c Jaywardena b Malinga 0

R.Bowden c Samaraweera b Chandana 75

A.Williams st Sangakkara b Chandana 1

K.Skewes b Malinga 0

M.Brown c Maharoof b Malinga 45

D.Treumer c Samaraweera b Maharoof 65

A.Dent c Sangakkara b Malinga 1

T.Bayly b Malinga 3

G.McGrath not out 31

Extras (nb-33 b-6 lb-6 w-2) 47

Total (all out, 105 overs) 419

Did not bat: G.Brautigam.

Fall of wkts: 1-2 2-4 3-185 4-208 5-210 6-274 7-364 8-367 9-377

Bowling: Farveez Maharoof 21-1-73-2, Lasith Malinga 25-2-90-6, Dilhara Fernando 24-2-80-0, Rangana Herath 9-1-35-0, Upul Chandana 21-2-118-2, Sanath Jayasuriya 5-1-11-0

Sri Lanka (1st innings)

S.Jayasuriya c Williams b Dent 64

K.Sangakkara not out 163

M.Jayawardena c and b Dent 4

T.Samaraweera c Treumer b Brautigam 5

T.Dilshan run out 3

R.Arnold lbw b Katich 29

R.Kaluwitharana not out 15

Extras (nb-18 b-2 lb-1) 21

Total (for five wickets, 72 overs) 304

Fall of wkts: 1-134 2-144 3-164 4-182 5-281

Bowling (to date): McGrath 15-3-49-0 (nb-5), Bayly 12-1-63-0 (nb-1), Brautigam 11-4-32-1, Skewes 6-1-41-0 (nb-9), Dent 10-0-43-2 (nb-3), Katich 18-0-73-1

To bat: Upul Chandana, Dilhara Fernando, Farveez Maharoof, Rangana Herath, Lasith Malinga. (12 players per side. 11 bat, 11 bowl)-Reuters