Langer was quick to seize on anything loose

Justin Langer answered doubts about his fitness ahead of Australia's Test series against Sri Lanka by taking a century off the tourists in Darwin.

Langer, the captain of a Northern Territory Chief Minister's XI, made 151 as his side ended the opening day's play on 364-7.

The left-handed opener showed no sign of a foot injury suffered during net practice on Wednesday.

Seamer Lasith Malinga was the pick of the Sri Lankan attack, taking 4-75.

The 20-year-old gave them a perfect start by removing Ian Redpath and Simon Katich for ducks with the new ball to reduce the Minister's XI to 4-2.

"He's a pocket rocket," said coach John Dyson.

"Every time he got the ball he bowled it with enthusiasm and pace and it looked like something could happen.

"If he continues this innings and then bowls again really well in the next innings he could come into serious consideration for the Test."

After the early setbacks, Langer found a reliable partner in Rhett Bowden and together they added 181 for the third wicket before Bowden was caught off leg-spinner Upul Chandana for 75.

From 185-3, the home side slumped to 210-5 as Ashley Williams and Ken Skewes followed in quick succession.

The foot is OK - I got up every couple of hours last night and iced it Justin Langer

Langer had already reached three figures by then and from 111 not out at tea he continued to lift the scoring rate in a stand of 64 with Martin Brown.

He eventually departed when he was bowled by Farveez Maharoof, who also took a catch to dismiss Brown for 45, giving Malinga his fourth victim.

Brown's departure came off the final ball of the day after he had added 90 for the seventh wicket with Darren Treumer, who was left on 49 not out.

Chief Minister's XI: Justin Langer (capt), Ian Redpath, Simon Katich, Rhett Bowden, Ashley Williams, Ken Skewes, Martin Brown (wkt), Darren Treumer, Anthony Dent, Terry Bayly, Glenn McGrath, Greg Brautigam.

Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumara Sangakkara, Tilan Samaraweera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Russel Arnold, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Upul Chandana, Dilhara Fernando, Farveez Maharoof, Rangana Herath, Lasith Malinga.