All Aussies on day three

Australia have taken a vice like grip on the first Test against Sri Lanka, after bowling out the tourists for 211. With a lead of 340 runs, Ricky Ponting went against previous form and enforced the follow on, and by stumps had reduced Sri Lanka to 80-2.

Resuming at 31-2 Sri Lanka were soon deep in trouble losing their captain Mahela Jayawardene for 14 (45-3) caught at the wicket to the bowling of Stuart Clarke. Gilchrist then claimed another catch off debutant Mitchell Johnson when he safely held Thilan Samaraweera for just 13 (65-4).

At this stage Marvan Atapattu was showing tremendous grit, taking everything the Aussie fast bowlers could dish out, and finally finding a willing partner in Chamara Silva who played an extremely entertaining if at times lucky innings of 40 from just 45 balls before falling to Stuart Clark, looked like giving the tourists a fighting chance.

The great vigil of Marvan Atapattu (183 balls) finally came to an end just after posting a well made half century, caught by Phil Jaques off the bowling of Johnson, this left the tourists 153-7.

Despite some late resistance from Prasanna Jayawardene 37 (104 balls) and Farveez Maharoof 21, the Sri Lankans fell well short of the Australian total and were asked to follow on.

On a still docile pitch the Sri Lankans looked determined to fight it right out in their second innings, but two late wickets (both openers) to Brett Lee and Andrew Symonds left Australia in an almost impregnable position with the tourist struggling at 80-2 at stumps.

Australia First Innings 4 Dec. 551
Michael Clarke 145*, Mike Hussey 133, Phil Jaques 100
Murali 2-170

Sri Lanka First Innings 211
Marvan Atapattu 51, Chamara Silva 40
Brett Lee 4-26, Stuart Clark 2-46

Sri Lanka Second Innings 80-2