Lunch Sri Lanka 294 and 18 for 0 (Karunaratne 17*, Dilshan 0*) trail Australia 432 for 9 dec (Wade 102, Hughes 87, Herath 4-95) by 120 runs
Live scorecard and ball-by-ball details
The third day of the SCG Test was a memorable one for Matthew Wade, who struck his second Test century in front of a raucous crowd that engulfed the venue in a sea of pink on Jane McGrath day. Wade built a solid stand with Peter Siddle and found a worthy ally in last man Jackson Bird as he stretched Australia's lead to 138 and brought up his first home Test ton in the process before his team declared 30 minutes prior to lunch.
The hundred was still a distant landmark for Wade when the day began, as the priority appeared to be improving Australia's position from one of a slight advantage to greater control. Barring a couple of close shaves while running between the wickets, Siddle and Wade were largely comfortable in good batting conditions. Siddle set the tone for Australia today, driving and cutting Suranga Lakmal for boundaries and collecting five runs thanks to an overthrow inside the first three overs of the morning.
Wade was busier, running hard and occasionally attempting the aggressive shot but also timed the ball superbly, his first four being just a punch past point off Lakmal. Siddle fell when he edged Nuwan Pradeep to the keeper and Rangana Herath hit back with two wickets in quick succession. Herath pushed the ball through quicker to trap Mitchell Starc in front and bowl Nathan Lyon, prompting Wade to lift his attacking game further.
Three men in the deep on the off side were not enough to prevent him from slicing Pradeep over point; as he watched the field move back in, he picked up a boundary past gully by opening the face. Wade's power-play was on display as well as smashed Pradeep over extra cover, then neatly clipped him past midwicket for two more fours. Bird, at the other end, not only survived but scored during his short stay, long enough for Wade to reach his landmark. In what was to be the last over of the innings, Wade pierced a packed off-side field in the deep to cream Lakmal for two fours, the second of which brought up his century.
There was no success for Australia with the ball before lunch; in that short phase, Dimuth Karunaratne batted with composure, driving Starc and Bird for a couple of fours when they pitched up.
Wade ton gives Australia control
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Wade ton gives Australia control
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Wade ton gives Australia control
