Australia in control of pink ball test

BRISBANE: Marnus Labuschagne scored his maiden test halfcentury and combined with Travis Head for Australia’s largest partnership of the summer as the host reached 249 for five at dinner on day two in the series opening daynight test at the Gabba last night.

Labuschagne and Head’s 166run partnership put Australia 105 runs ahead and in control after it had lost both overnight batsmen within the first three overs of the day.

The duo surpassed Marcus Harris and Aaron Finch’s 112run stand in the Perth test against India.

Labuschagne had also looked set to score Australia’s first century this summer but fell for 81 shortly before dinner when he chipped straight to midwicket off Dhananjaya de Silva.

At dinner, Head was 71 not out and debutant Kurtis Patterson yet to score.

Resuming at 72 for two, Harris (44) could add only four runs to his overnight score before offering a simple catch to Lahiru Thirimanne at point off Lahiru Kumara in the first over of the day.

Nightwatchman Nathan Lyon (one) fell three overs later when he edged Suranga Lakmal to Kusal Mendis at second slip as Australia slumped to 82 for four.

Labuschagne and Head then steadied the innings, both bringing up their half centuries in the middle session.

Labuschagne, playing in his fourth test, scored his first test 50 in 97 balls with three boundaries.

Head scored his fourth halfcentury off 109 balls, with six boundaries, but was fortunate to survive on 29 when he was dropped by wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella off Lakmal.

Australia had bundled out Sri Lanka for 144 in just over two sessions on Thursday.