By Reuters Reporter
Published: 15:56 GMT, 25 January 2019 | Updated: 15:57 GMT, 25 January 2019
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Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne missed individual centuries but forged Australia's highest partnership of the summer to earn the hosts a handy first innings lead against Sri Lanka on day two of the series opening day-night Test on Friday.
Their 166-run stand powered Australia to 323 in reply to Sri Lanka's first innings total of 144 and Pat Cummins struck with the final ball of the day to reduce the tourists to 17 for one at stumps at the Gabba.
Lahiru Thirimanne was batting on six, having lost opening partner Dimuth Karunaratne to Cummins for six with Sri Lanka trailing by 162 runs.
Travis Head (left) and Marnus Labuschagne (right) shared a wonderful partnership of 166 runs
Pat Cummins took the wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne to leave Sri Lanka trailing by 162
'(It was) a massive wicket', said Head after play. 'It's nice to get them one down and break the left-handers up.
'I think the way Jhye (Richardson) and Pat bowled against the right handers on Thursday by swinging the ball away means we can put them under real pressure in the morning.
Head (84) and Labuschagne (81) featured in a 166-run stand for the fifth wicket, surpassing the 112-run stand between Marcus Harris and Aaron Finch in the Perth test against India as Australia's best this season.
'I think the way myself and Marny (Marnus
