Jayawardene hits first away 50 in three years

SYDNEY: Captain Mahela Jayawardene scored his first away Test half-century in over three years to bolster injury-hit Sri Lanka's first innings in the third Test against Australia on Thursday.

In a welcome return to form after fellow 10,000 Test runscorer Kumar Sangakkara's enforced absence with a fractured finger, Jayawardene led from the front for his embattled team after two heavy Test defeats in Hobart and Melbourne.

It was Jayawardene's first half-century in Tests outside Sri Lanka in 27 innings since a knock of 275 against India in Ahmedabad in November 2009.

Jayawardene brought up his 50 with a streaky edge that bounced in front of Mike Hussey at second slip and went to the boundary.

But he was out for 72 in the hour before tea, caught at first slip by Michael Clarke after driving hard at left-armer Mitchell Starc in the 43rd over.

Starc had a few anxious moments when New Zealand umpire Tony Hill checked for an overstepping no-ball. Replays showed that Starc's heel was just behind the popping crease before he dragged it forward and the dismissal was confirmed.

The Sri Lankan skipper batted for 154 minutes and faced 110 balls for his half-century which included 12 boundaries and a straight six off spinner Nathan Lyon.

Up to Sydney it had been a sorry series for Jayawardene, who fell for 12 and 19 in Hobart and three and a six-ball duck in Melbourne.

Jayawardene has now scored 10,746 runs at 49.52 in his 138th Test match.

He will relinquish the captaincy after the Australian tour, with vice-captain Angelo Mathews likely to take over. (AFP)