After winning the toss and batting, Australia finished the day at a respectable four for 299 with Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey again building a solid partnership.
Hughes compiled an impressive 86, showing his rough ready technique has been reined in since his last Test at the same venue 12 months ago. But he was only able to add four runs after tea, bowled left arm quick Chanaka Welegedara (3-99) after a tiny inside edge.
The innings was well beyond his 14.58 average in Australia.
Aussie skipper Michael Clarke’s superb 2012 continues, finishing the day with a 70 not out that almost looked like habit on a pitch offering uneven bounce. His accomplice Hussey (37 not out) helped the pair add 101 in the final session of the day.
Clarke has now surpassed 1400 runs for the calendar year, with possibly another innings in this Test and the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne to come.
Shane Watson (30) and David Warner (57) couldn’t capitalise on starts at Bellerive Oval, but the only real disappointment of the day was Ed Cowan (four), who failed in his Test debut on his home ground.
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