Dilshan, Mathews give Sri Lanka lead over Australia

COLOMBO: Tillakaratne Dilshan and Angelo Mathews shared a record fifth-wicket partnership to take Sri Lanka ahead of Australia in the third and final Test on Sunday.

The pair added 121 as Sri Lanka reached the third day tea interval on 337 for five wickets, 21 runs ahead of Australia, who scored 316 in their first innings.

Sri Lankan captain Dilshan, Australia's lone success in the afternoon session, returned to form with a well-paced knock of 83 off 121 balls, which included 14 fours.

Dilshan, who moved down the order from his usual opening position, was dismissed 14 minutes before tea when Trent Copeland forced an edge to wicket-keeper Brad Haddin standing up to the stumps.

The ball hit Haddin on his right thigh before he held on to it, bringing an end to a partnership that was Sri Lanka's highest for the fifth wicket against Australia.

At the interval, Mathews remained unbeaten on 42 with Prasanna Jayawardene (five) keeping him company.

The hosts had resumed their innings on 166-2 but were forced to consolidate after Australia picked up the prized wickets of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene before lunch.

Shane Watson made the first breakthrough when he lured Mahela Jayawardene into an expansive drive outside the off stump that caught an edge and went straight through to Haddin.

Jayawardene (51) completed his half century with nine fours and shared a third-wicket stand of 101 with Sangakkara (79).

Sangakkara, playing in his 100th Test match, hit ten fours and faced 176 balls before Peter Siddle dismissed him with the second new ball.

The ball bounced more than the left-hander expected and took the shoulder of his bat on its way back to Haddin.

Australia lead the three-match series 1-0.