2nd Test: Australia firm their grip over Sri Lanka

Australia took an 82-run lead over Sri Lanka on day two of the second Test. The hosts were 238 for 3 at the break, with Shane Watson (60) and Michael Clarke (56) were the unbeaten batsmen.

Sri Lanka were bundled out for a paltry 156 in their first innings on Wednesday. Only Kumar Sangakkara could face the Aussie challenge, scoring a half-century and completing 10,000 runs in Test cricket.Clarke became Australia's highest-ever run scorer in a calendar year on Thursday while sharing an unbeaten 121-run partnership with Watson. He took his run total to 1,545 for 2012 and eclipsing recently retired Ricky Ponting's record of 1,544 in 2005.
After resuming on the overnight score of 150-3, Clarke made a watchful start before loosening his strokes to build a challenging lead. He timed seven boundaries, showing little sign of the hamstring strain sustained in the first test at Hobart. He brought up his 50 with a nick to fine leg off a short ball from Angelo Mathews. At the other end of the wicket, Watson looked untroubled and brought up his 50 with a boundary off Mathews two overs later.
Sri Lanka's injury woes worsened on the second morning when paceman Chanaka Welegedara pulled up while running in to bowl to Clarke and limped from the field. He left the grounds for scans on a strained hamstring.