Tourists strike back

Sri Lanka have fought back on the second day of the second Test against Australia in Cairns.

12:10 10 July 2004

Sri Lanka have fought back on the second day of the second Test against Australia in Cairns.

Resuming on 370 for two, Sri Lanka dismissed the hosts for 517 shortly after lunch and then continued their recovery to reach 184 for two at stumps.

Upul Chandana starred with the ball with figures of five for 109 off 26 overs and skipper Marvan Atapattu and Kumar Sangakkara both struck half-centuries as the tourists found a way back into the match.

Justin Langer, unbeaten on 159 overnight, could only add three runs to his overnight total before he was the first Australian wicket to fall, caught by Mahele Jayawardene at slip off Lasith Malinga.

Damien Martyn was then trapped lbw by Chandana for 97 and Simon Katich followed eight runs later when he was clean bowled by Chandana for one.

When Adam Gilchrist was the last man out for 35 Australia had lost their last eight wickets for 147 runs..

Sri Lanka suffered an early blow in their reply when Sanath Jayasuriya was caught by Gilchrist off Jason Gillespie for.

But Atapattu and Sangakkara put on a second-wicket stand worth 138 to steady the ship.

Atapattu moved onto an unbeaten 75 while Sangakkara contributed a rapid 74 before hoisting a Shane Warne delivery straight to Gillespie.

Nevertheless, Jayawardene joined his captain at the crease and they saw out a very satisfying day for the tourists.