Oz vs Sri Lanka: Australia strike after Mike Hussey-led declaration

Four Sri Lankan wickets rewarded a Mike Hussey-induced declaration to have Australia in a powerful position after the second day of the first Hobart Test on Saturday.

Veteran Hussey's fifth century in six Tests against Sri Lanka enabled skipper Michael Clarke to call a halt to Australia's first innings at 450 for five off 131 overs, some 30 minutes before tea on a rain-interrupted day.

Clarke's call was backed by his bowlers who captured the wickets of Dimuth Karunaratne and the prized scalps of Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera in the final session.

At the close, Sri Lanka were 87 for four with Tillakaratne Dilshan not out 50 with Samaraweera out in day's final over.

Dilshan reached his 50 off 82 balls when he hooked Shane Watson for four in the penultimate over of the day.

Evergreen Hussey continued to flourish this southern summer with an unbeaten 115 for his 19th Test century and third in the last month to share in a 146-run stand with wicketkeeper Matthew Wade (68).

In his six Tests against Sri Lanka, Hussey has scored five centuries at an average of 109.62. Hussey, batting better than ever at the age of 37, audaciously raised his hundred with a pull off Shaminda Eranga.

Angelo Mathews looked set to take the catch on the mid-wicket boundary ropes but fumbled the chance, allowing the ball to bounce over for four to bring up Hussey's 100. Hussey's knock came off 184 balls with eight fours and a six.

Wade, who had a life on 20 when he was dropped by fielding substitute Suraj Randiv at mid-wicket off Chanaka Welegedara nearing lunch, raised his second Test half-century. Clarke was the only Australian wicket to fall out in the day's third over when he edged Eranga to Sangakkara low down at first slip.

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