A solid start to his Test career by Shaun Marsh was the highlight of a tough morning for Australia's batsmen on day two of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Kandy.
After resuming at 0-60 in reply to Sri Lanka's 174 on day one, Australia were 3-133 at lunch on day two with Marsh unbeaten on 26 and Michael Hussey not out on 15, trailing by 41 runs with seven first innings wickets in hand.
The day began quietly with Australia taking just under three overs before adding a run to their score, in the process losing the wicket of Shane Watson with the 10th delivery of the day.
It was a disappointing end for the Australian vice-captain who had been given a warning with the previous delivery which he also left after it just passed over the stumps.
Hughes and Marsh put together a steady stand of 35 runs for the second wicket but after reaching drinks, Hughes fell to a bat-pad catch in the first over after the break off the bowling of Suraj Randiv (1-30).
His dismissal with the score at 95 meant the NSW left-hander has now gone 10 Test innings without passing 50 and brought skipper Michael Clarke to the crease.
Clarke didn't last long however, edging a wide ball from Chanaka Welagedara (1-39) to Mahela Jayawardene at second slip to be removed for just 13.
The Australian captain's anger at getting out would have been magnified when play was halted by a short rain delay before another ball could be bowled.
When play resumed Hussey and Marsh took the tourists to the break with a minimum of fuss and will be keen to push Australia into a lead when play resumes.
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