Emotional Head dedicates century to Hughes

Canberra, February 1: Travis Head dedicated his first Test century to the late Phillip Hughes on an emotional opening day of Australia's second match against Sri Lanka.

Australia dominated proceedings at the Manuka Oval in Canberra as Sri Lanka's bowlers toiled after an impressive start, Head and Joe Burns both registering hundreds.

Australia slipped to 28-3 but Head (161) and Burns (172 not out) put on 308 to put the hosts on course to complete a series sweep - they won the first Test by an innings and 40 runs in Brisbane.

Head went to three figures with a boundary through mid-off and immediately looked to the sky in remembrance of his former team-mate and mentor.

"Yeah [I dedicated it to] a few, but Hughesy as well, a little bit emotional to be honest," Head told SEN Radio.

"It was a little bit about trying to get the momentum back, it was a little like last week where we lost quick wickets and were a little bit under the pump, it was trying to get that momentum back.

"Last week I started my innings really well, left the ball really well, just tried to get that momentum back and get it to swing back our way. I felt like Burnsy and I were able to do that again.

"To go out there and continue from last week, personally and as a team we put ourselves in a great position to get hundreds and weren't able to, that was the disappointing part, but it was really good today to get out there, and once we got our chance, to make it massive."

Burns - who registered his fourth hundred for Australia - was delighted for his team-mate, believing Head's innings will establish the left-hander's place in the Test side.

He said: "It's one of those innings today that'll get him started in his Test career, get that first one out of the way and open the floodgates. I just wanted to hug him as hard as I could for as long as I could and just keep batting with him. It was really enjoyable.

"Full credit to Trav, he comes out with great intent, puts the bowlers off their mark, and turns three early wickets into straightaway pressure back on the bowlers.

"And you could sense out there the left-hand/right-hand combination, and being able to score in different areas and keep the scoreboard ticking all day, meant their bowlers couldn't get that build-up of pressure. That's the key to a good partnership and really satisfying to do that for a long period."