Marsh, Smith Hundreds Power Australia To 235-1

COLOMBO, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Augst,2016) : Unbeaten centuries from Shaun Marsh and skipper Steven Smith powered Australia to 235 for one at lunch against Sri Lanka on the third day of the final Test in Colombo on Monday. Smith and Marsh put together an unbroken 214-run partnership for the second wicket to strengthen Australia's first innings reply against Sri Lanka's 355.

The visitors still trailed the hosts by 120 runs. The left-handed Marsh, whose innings was laced with 16 boundaries, was on 110 while Smith, who has hit nine boundaries and a six, was on 104 at the break.

Marsh, who started the day on 64, recorded his fourth Test century and second in Sri Lanka. The opener, who was drafted into the Australia side because of his long experience of Asian conditions, survived a dropped catch on 67 early in the morning against Rangana Herath but soon took control. He brought up his hundred with an inside edge off Dilruwan Perera that went for a boundary and he celebrated the milestone by hugging his skipper at the other end. Smith, who resumed the day on 61, soon got his 15th Test century to improve on his previous best of 55 in the series.