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PALLEKELE: Australia's part-time bowler Michael Hussey removed opener Tharanga Paranavitana to halt Sri Lanka's rearguard in the fourth day's second session of the second test on Sunday.
At tea, Sri Lanka were 164 for two wickets, still trailing by 73 runs, with their most experienced batsmen Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene unbeaten on 35 and 13 respectively with an unbroken third wicket partnership of 36.
Hussey dismissed Paranavitana in the fifth ball of his first over, having the opener caught behind by wicket keeper Brad Haddin for 55.
Umpire Tony Hill had to change his 'not out' decision as Australia captain Michael Clarke asked for a review on Haddin's strong request though Hussey did not even appeal.
Hussey's wicket maiden over came as Australia were becoming desperate to break the second wicket partnership in order to capitalise their 237-run first innings lead.
In Sri Lanka's first innings, Hussey dismissed Kumar Sangakkara in his one over to break the home team's highest partnership.
Paranawitana's 143-ball knock helped steady the home team, who had lost the first five wickets before making 100 in the first innings and the both innings of the first test.
Resuming the innings 83 for one wicket after lunch, Paranawitana shared 47 runs with Sangakkara for the second wicket before being dismissed.
In the first session, openers Tillakaratne Dilshan and Paranavitana shared an 81-run first wicket partnership before Sri Lanka captain was caught by Shane Watson off Ryan Harris for 36.
Both openers attacked Australian fast bowlers and played patiently after they failing to build the foundation Sri Lanka had been looking for throughout the series.
Earlier, Australia declared their first innings before the day's play started with the total of 411 for seven wickets and the tourists enjoy a 237-run lead.
On Saturday debutant Shaun Marsh and Michael Hussey scored hundreds to lift Australia first innings to 411 runs. Australia won the first test of the three-match series in Galle by 125 runs.
