Sangakkara's innings was good news for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara warmed up for the Tests against Australia with a stylish century against a Northern Territory Chief Minister's XI.

The left-hander responded to the home side's first innings total of 419 in Darwin by hitting an unbeaten 163.

He shared a first wicket stand of 134 with Sanath Jayasuriya (64) as they reached 304-5 at the end of day two.

Seam bowler Lasith Malinga had earlier taken 6-90 to boost his chances of a first Test appearance next week.

It was not all positive news for the tourists, however, as Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera and TM Dilshan all failed following Jayasuriya's dismissal, caugtht off seamer Anthony Dent.

Jayawardene gave a return catch to Dent after making only four and Samaraweera followed for five when he was dismissed to Greg Brautigam.

When Dilshan was run out for five, Sri Lanka were 182-4 but Russel Arnold at last provided Sangakkara with some solid support as they added 99 for the fifth wicket.

Glenn McGrath bowled respectably on a slow pitch for figures of 0-49 from 15 overs, but his inability to pick up a wicket was a concern ahead of his first Test for almost a year following ankle surgery.

Glenn McGrath's batting proved more effective than his bowling

"If I go out there and take a few wickets tomorrow I'll be pretty happy but this game is more about the process of getting everything right," he said.

"If I can get that feel back to the way it has been in the past then that's all I'm after out of this game."

Sangakkara, who was 74 not out at tea, accelerated to three figures in the final session, and continued in the same aggressive vein thereafter, collecting 18 fours in his 220-ball knock.

Arnold was eventually trapped lbw for 29 by left-arm spinner Simon Katich, but Romesh Kaluwitharana kept Sangakkara company over the closing overs to end on 15 not out.

The Chief Minister's had begun the day on 364-7 and although Malinga quickly removed Dent and Terry Bayly, Darren Treumer and McGrath saw the total past 400.

Treumer, 49 not out overnight, wasted no time in reaching his fifty and McGrath belied a first-class career average of seven with a six and three fours in his unbeaten 31 off 28 balls

The innings was eventually ended by Farveez Maharoof, who removed Treumer for 65 with the help of Samaraweera's catch.

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.