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Sri Lanka have batted themselves into a losing position on the third day's play with their first innings just lasting 81.2 overs. All they could put up was 246 in reply to Australia's 542 for 5 declared that too because of Skipper Mahela Jayawardene's brilliant 104 (from 194 balls with 13 fours). The Captain was the lone man fighting for his side and was the last man to be dismissed. Australia decided to give their bowlers a break by not enforcing the follow on. The Aussies closed the third day's play at a strong 111 for 1 taking their overall lead to 407.

Brett Lee was the chief destroyer of the Sri Lanka batting as he captured four wickets at the cost of 82 runs in 23.2 overs. He took the wickets of both the openers Michael Vandort and Marvan Atappatu to start the collapse. Stuart Clark and Stuart MacGill took a couple of wickets each while Mitchell Johnson came up with the important wicket of Sangakkara who had made 57 (from 76 balls with 9 fours). Sangakkara had put on 73 with his Skipper Jayawardene with the partnership being a breezy one but not really one that tired the bowlers.

Australia have Phil Jaques helping himself to an unbeaten 57 along with Ricky Ponting who has got 7. The only wicket to go down was that of Matt Hayden (33) who was out lbw to Muttiah Muralitharan.

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