Lehmann was in prime form

Darren Lehmann scored his fifth Test century and second of the series to guide Australia to 314-6 on day one of the third Test against Sri Lanka.

Lehmann figured in a 121-run partnership with Ricky Ponting (92) and a 55-run stand with Adam Gilchrist (22) after Australia elected to bat.

At stumps, Lehmann was unbeaten on 104 and leg-spinner Shane Warne was not out on seven.

Australia are chasing an unprecedented 3-0 series sweep in Sri Lanka.

Chaminda Vaas - operating as Sri Lanka's lone paceman after Nuwan Zoysa limped off with a strained left foot - removed Justin Langer (19), Damien Martyn (14) and Ponting and returned 3-76 off 20 overs.

Muttiah Muralitharan took two wickets in the evening session to take his series haul to 22 and his Test tally to 507, 12 behind the record held by retired West Indies paceman Courtney Walsh.

The Sri Lankan offspinner is in a race with Warne (511 wickets, including 20 in this series) for the record.

Some of the Aussie batsmen batted like it was a dead rubber From Jag Have your say on TMS

After Vass had Ponting caught at mid-off off the last ball before tea to make it 217-4, the Australians added 97 runs for the loss of two wickets in the last 34 overs.

Muralitharan dived at full stretch to his left to take a return catch off Simon Katich (14) with the total at 244 and switched ends before having Gilchrist well caught at first slip by Sanath Jayasuriya.

Lehmann was given a reprieve on 20 when he edged Muralitharan to first slip, where Mahela Jayawardene dived but failed to hold onto the catch.

He also had a narrow escape on 62 when he was given the benefit of the doubt by the TV umpire on a run-out decision.

In the end, however, he helped Australia to their highest first-innings total in the series.

Sri Lanka: Hashan Tillakaratne (captain), Marvan Atapattu, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Zoysa, Muttiah Muralitharan, Rangana Herath.

Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Damien Martyn, Simon Katich, Darren Lehmann, Shane Warne, Michael Kasprowicz, Jason Gillespie, Brad Williams.