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Slater, Blewett boost Australia

Openers Greg Blewett and Michael Slater put together their second successive century stand to help Australia to 203 for four on the opening day of the third Test against Sri Lanka today.

After the start had been delayed by an hour because of overnight rain, Blewett and Slater put on 126.

The partnership was broken shortly before tea when Slater was stumped by Romesh Kaluwitharana off part-time off-spinner Russel Arnold for 59. He hit six fours.

Blewett went on to make 70 before he was caught by Marvan Atapattu at extra cover off Rangana Herath. He batted for 228 minutes and hit nine boundaries.

Slater and Blewett had begun cautiously, scoring just 20 in 15 overs before lunch, but they upped the tempo in the second session.

Blewett was missed at 26 when Herath failed to cling on to a return catch and Slater at 38 when substitute Upul Chandana failed to hold on to a drive at long on off Herath.

Off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan picked up the other two wickets. He had Mark Waugh caught at short leg for 13 and then forced Justin Langer to edge to Arjuna Ranatunga at slip for 32.

Waugh was unfortunate to be given out by Sri Lankan umpire K.T. Francis, standing in his final Test. Television replays appeared to show the ball came off his pads.

Steve Waugh (10) and Ricky Ponting (11) negotiated the spinners until bad light halted play 45 minutes early.

Sri Lanka lead the three-Test series 1-0.

UNI