Phil Hughes is determined to make Australia's number three spot his own after an elegant showing with the bat against Sri Lanka at the SCG.
Australia leads the tourists by 48 runs after making 6 for 342 on day two of the third and final Test in Sydney.
The Aussies were left frustrated by a number of batsmen failing to convert half-centuries into hundreds, with Hughes top-scoring with 87, ahead of David Warner (85) and Michael Clarke (50).
Wicket-keeper Matthew Wade is still at the crease with an unbeaten 47, though it will be a tough ask for him to make a ton with only Peter Siddle (13 not out) and the tail left on a deteriorating wicket.
Hughes says he wants to focus on making number three his own and is happy with the improvements in his technique.
"Today wasn't so good. I would have liked 13 more and a few more [on top of that], but I felt quite comfortable in the middle today and David and I put on a pretty good partnership," he told Grandstand.
"I love number three and I'd love to stay here for a period of time.
"I've been in and out of the team a few times over a number of years now, I really want to cement my position at three, so I suppose I'm really looking forward to the next little period.
"I feel like my leg side play has improved over the last 12 months, I think my defence has really come along.
"It's something I had to work on. Facing bowlers around the world, they can find you out. If you've got a good defensive game I think that's key going forward."
Hughes praised the efforts of Rangana Herath, whose 2 for 69 helped Sri Lanka claw their way back into the game.
Herath dismissed Hughes after the batsman tried to cut the tweaker late to third man, but instead chopped it straight into the keeper's gloves.
Hughes says the pitch has slowed down remarkably for a second day wicket and tipped Australia's Nathan Lyon to be a big factor at the business end of the Test.
"It started to turn a bit today so it's going to be interesting as the game goes on," Hughes said.
"[Herath] bowled very well, he mixed his pace up beautifully so he can be tough at times.
"[The pitch] is quite slow, so it's difficult to drive, especially on the up so you've really got to play it as late as possible. It's taking turn and it's only day two.
"It's going to be interesting over the course of the game, it's going to take a fair bit of turn over the next few days.
"Lyon will come into the game, especially in the second innings. Day three and four, we'll wait and see, but I'm sure it's going to take some big turn."
Sri Lanka coach Graham Ford said the thinking behind Herath's late introduction into the attack was to give the visitors' quicks more time with the ball.
He says 2012's leading wicket-taker will be crucial in trying to get Australia out as early as possible on day three.
"I think Mahela [Jayawardene] felt quite strongly the off-spinners against the left-handers, there was something there," Ford told Grandstand.
"It's pretty straightforward, we've got to strike early, and hopefully get batting early on.
"Everyone's noticed there is deterioration ... we've got to get whatever we can and make a nasty little chase for Australia.
"At this stage we'll take it session by session. We've got to get wickets first thing tomorrow ... we'll start thinking about totals and targets a bit later on."
Ford says nerves played a part in Sri Lanka's skittish start to day two, as Warner and Hughes put together 130 runs in less than 30 overs.
"We didn't start as well as we would have liked to this morning. It took some time for nerves to settle this morning," he said.
"I was impressed with the energy and the fight amongst the fielders - perhaps there were one or two catches that went astray.
"It was a long day for those lads (pacemen), perhaps they didn't have enough gas in the tank to really capitalise with the new ball."
Tags: cricket, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, australia, sri-lanka First posted January 04, 2013 19:12:19
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