Jaques leads the way

Phil Jaques © Getty Images

Opener Phil Jaques struck a maiden century on his return to Test cricket to help Australia reach 242 for three on day one of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Gabba.

Recalled to the side after an absence of a year and a half following Justin Langer’s retirement, Jaques hit 14 fours in his 203-ball innings before being stumped off the bowling of Muttiah Muralitharan for 100.

Off-spinner Muralitharan finished the day with 2-67, needing a further seven wickets to overtake Shane Warne’s world record of 708 in Tests.

A wet Brisbane outfield delayed the start of the game before the morning session was interrupted by further rain.

It proved heavy going when the teams returned to the field as Australia crawled to 22 without loss at lunch from 11 overs.

But it was a different story after the break as Matthew Hayden, in particular, tore into the Sri Lanka attack.

However, the opener paid for his aggression when, on 43, he came down the track looking to dispatch Chaminda Vaas over mid-off, only to catch the ball high on his bat and Muralitharan pouched the chance on the run.

The loss of his partner did not seem to bother Jaques, who - on his third Test appearance - pressed on to a second half-century off 125 balls.

Ricky Ponting went to his 37th Test fifty as Australia reached 242 for three © Getty Images

He survived a scare on 60 when he was dropped at first slip by Mahela Jayawardene off Murali as Australia took the upper hand after two sessions.

The tourists mounted something of a fightback in the evening session, though, and it was Muralitharan who was responsible.

Skipper Ricky Ponting reached his 37th Test fifty but could add only another six runs before succumbing to the off-spinner.

He was tempted forward by a flighted delivery and dragged his foot outside the crease as the ball spun past his bat, with stand-in wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene quick to remove the bails.

Jayawardene, playing in the absence of Kumar Sangakkara, who has a hamstring injury, claimed a second stumping in the session as Jaques experienced a moment of madness.

Having survived a scare on 90 when he was dropped by Thilan Samaraweera at second slip off the bowling of Muralitharan, Jaques recovered to reach three figures with a four through the off side off Vaas.

But he had not added to his score when, in the next over, he advanced down the pitch to Muralitharan and got nowhere near the ball, presenting a simple stumping to Jayawardene.

Mike Hussey and Michael Clarke saw Australia to the close of play without further damage - but not without incident.

Hussey survived a strong bat-pad appeal on 13 when Chamara Silva dived forward but just failed to to give Murali his third wicket.

Hussey relieved the tension with a huge six off Muralitharan and, shortly after, bad light brought proceedings to an end 30 minutes early.

Journalists and photographers from News Ltd, Australia's biggest media agency, boycotted the first day's play after a dispute with Cricket Australia over ownership of image rights and licence fees.

Journalists and photographers remain outside the Gabba following the dispute with Cricket Australia