You need some luck in these conditions Damien Martyn Full close of play quotes

Damien Martyn compiled a patient century as Australia extended their lead to 229 in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Kandy.

They were 320-5 when heavy rain ended play early on the third day, with Martyn 104 not out after being dropped on 65 and Andrew Symonds on six.

Martyn's hundred took 381 minutes, the fourth slowest by an Australian.

Adam Gilchrist earlier made 144 and Darren Lehmann (21) and Ricky Ponting (27) were the other batsmen dismissed.

Australia resumed on 211-2, with Martyn on 64, and he had only added a single when he edged a ball from Nuwan Zoysa to slip where Mahela Jayawardene was unable to hold the chance.

SLOWEST TEST CENTURIES BY AUSTRALIAN BATSMEN 388 mins J Langer v Pakistan, Hobart 1999-2000 385 mins D Jones v India, Madras 1986 384 mins M Taylor v India, Adelaide 1991-92 381 mins D Martyn v Sri Lanka, Kandy 2004

It was the second let-off of his innings for Martyn, who made 100 in last week's first Test, and he was in cautious mood for most of the morning as he tried to avoid taking unncessary risks.

His third wicket stand of 200 was ended in the fourth over of the day when Muralitharan removed Gilchrist, whose 185-ball innings included three sixes and 19 fours.

New batsman Lehmann was soon into his stride, collecting four boundaries, but the introduction of Vaas brought about his downfall as he was struck on the pad by an inswinging delivery and the umpire gave him out.

Lehmann's exit brought Ponting belatedly to the middle after a second day back injury forced him to drop down the order from his normal number three position.

Only 44 overs of play were possible during the day

The discomfort did not appear to seriously inhibit him, however, and he hit a six and two fours before he was caught behind immediately after the lunch interval.

TV replays suggested Ponting was unlucky, with the ball appearing to miss the edge of his bat.

Martyn finally reached his seventh Test hundred off 267 balls when he steered a ball from Nuwan Zoysa to third man for his 14th four.

Only three more overs were possible before the weather intervened and the umpires called play off for the day with no sign of an improvement.

Australia: Ponting (capt), Hayden, Langer, Martyn, Lehmann, Symonds, Gilchrist, Warne, Gillespie, Kasprowicz, MacGill.

Umpires: Steve Bucknor, West Indies, and David Orchard, South Africa.