• Scorecard: Australia vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test

Australia [ Images ] rode on Phil Jaques's maiden Test century to post a handsome 242 for 3 on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka [ Images ] in Brisbane [ Images ] on Thursday.

The 28-year-old left-hander scored exactly 100 before he was stumped off Muttiah Muralitharan [ Images ].

Playing in only his third Test, Jaques hit 13 boundaries in his 203-ball knock and announced himself as the perfect replacement for the retired Justin Langer.

Put into bat, Australia got off to a good start as Jaques and Matthew Hayden [ Images ] put on 69 for the opening wicket before the latter was brilliantly caught by Muralitharan off Chaminda Vaas [ Images ] for 43.

Captain Ricky Ponting [ Images ] scored a brisk 56, including seven boundaries, adding 114 runs for the second wicket with Jaques as Australia took early command.

However, Muralitharan helped Sri Lanka claw their way back a bit, claiming the wickets of Ponting and Jaques, to finish with 2 for 67 in his 23 overs.

At close, Mike Hussey [ Images ] was unbeaten on 28, while Michael Clarke [ Images ] was not out on 5.