Centurion Michael Hussey described Australia's mood as "buoyant" after his 19th Test hundred, Michael Clarke's bold declaration and four quick wickets left Sri Lanka in turmoil at the end of the second day in Hobart.
The tourists ended the day on 4 for 87, still 363 runs adrift of Australia in the first Test in the three-match series
Clarke declared the innings at 5 for 450 just before tea, with Hussey unbeaten on 115 and Matthew Wade on 68.
Tillakaratne Dilshan is still at the crease on 50 and with fellow opener Dimuth Karunaratne falling for 14 - and Australia nabbing the two key wickets of Sangakkara (4) and Mahela Jayawardene (12) - he will need to hold his wicket well into the third day if his side is to get back into the game.
The day was wrapped up in perfect style when Thilan Samaraweera nicked Nathan Lyon behind, leaving Australian players and fans at the Bellerive Oval alike in celebratory mood.
"It's quite buoyant at the moment (in the dressing room), getting a wicket in the last over just makes it better," Hussey said.
"I think we've put ourselves in a great position.
"To get four wickets late in the day is great - and three of those wickets were big wickets."
Hussey feels Sri Lanka will struggle to get out of this position as he expects the wicket to get increasingly difficult to play on as the match goes on.
"Even having a low score (to aim at) on the last day, it could be quite challenging," he said.
Sri Lanka's only other hope of avoiding defeat is the variable Tasmanian weather which forced a delayed start to the game and then a long spell off the field midway through the second day.
There is more rain forecast for day three.
Hussey resumed the day on 37, along with Michael Clarke who added just four runs to his overnight tally before edging Shaminda Eranga to Sangakkara at slip for 74.
That would be the Sri Lankans' only success of the day as Hussey and Wade patiently built the Australian total.
Just about Hussey's only false shot brought up his hundred in fortuitous style as the usually reliable Angelo Mathews dropped him on the boundary and the ball spilled over the rope for a four.
"You need a bit lof luck, like when I was on 96," he said.
"It's just a great honour to represent Australia. At my age you know it's not going to last forever, you've got to take advantage of every moment."
Hussey's contribution did not end with the bat as he took a sharp catch in the gully off Peter Siddle to dismiss Sangakkara.
Playing on his home ground Ben Hilfenhaus found his line early on and took the first wicket when the fluent-looking Karunaratne nicked behind.
Shane Watson trapped Jayawardene in front to add to Sri Lanka's woes, which were then compounded by Samaraweera's late dismissal.
Tags: sport, cricket, hobart-7000, australia, tas First posted December 15, 2012 19:44:45
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