Gilchrist in smashing form

Adam Gilchrist raced to an unbeaten 140 off only 175 balls to take Australia to 221 for two at the close of the second day of the Second Test against Sri Lanka in Kandy, as the tourists made a remarkable fightback.

Gilchrist and Damien Martyn added an unbroken 195 for the third wicket after Australia, who trailed by 91 runs on first innings, had slumped to 26 for two.

Gilchrist, who scored only four runs in his first three innings of the series, rediscovered his batting form after being promoted to No3 because of a back injury to skipper Ricky Ponting. He hit three sixes and 19 fours. Martyn, missed at second slip before he had scored, provided patient support with an unbeaten 64.

Earlier, Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan shared a Sri Lanka record last-wicket stand of 79.

Vaas scored 68 not out and Murali clubbed 43 from 28 balls. Sri Lanka had resumed on 92 for seven, in reply to Australia's first innings total of 120.

Shane Warne took five for 65, taking his Test tally to 506 wickets, six ahead of Murali and 13 short of Courtney Walsh's world record.