Burns, Head hit tons, Oz 384/4 on Day 1

Canberra, February 1 

Joe Burns and Travis Head smashed big hundreds to end Australia’s century drought and put the hosts on course for a massive first innings total despite a wobbly start against Sri Lanka’s makeshift attack in the second and final Test. Sri Lanka’s injury-depleted pace attack flattered to deceive on the opening day of the first-ever Test at the Manuka Oval as Burns and Head forged a mammoth fourth-wicket stand of 308 to power the hosts to 384/4 at close after being reduced to 28/3.

Burns was unbeaten on a career-best 172 after bringing up the first century by an Australian batsman since Usman Khawaja’s 141 in the drawn Dubai test against Pakistan last October. Head completed his maiden Test ton before he was out on 161, following up on his 84 in the victory in Brisbane last week. Kurtis Patterson was batting on 25, after being dropped at short leg on the first ball he faced from Dhananjaya de Silva. Left-armer Vishwa Fernando struck twice in two overs to dismiss left-handers Marcus Harris and Khawaja with his outswinging deliveries. Debutant Chamika Karunaratne then picked up a wicket with only his fourth delivery in test cricket, getting Marnus Labuschagne (six) to edge behind.  — Reuters 

Brief scores: Australia: 384/4 in 87 overs (Burns 172*, Patterson 25*; Vishwa Fernando 3/99) vs Sri Lanka