Shane Warne's coating of dust and dirt symbolised Australia's frustrating day as Sri Lanka took the first cricket Test by the scruff of the neck.

The home side went to stumps on day two at 6-352 in reply to Australia's meagre offering of 220 at the Galle International Stadium.

The lead of 132 came primarily through the work of century-maker Tillekeratne Dilshan, who showed Australia the virtues of patience on an unco-operative batting deck.

Coach John Buchanan was pleased with Australia's bowling attack but praised Sri Lanka for playing the game in more determined fashion that Australia did when batting.

"What Sri Lanka showed today was an old form of the game and that's batting time," Buchanan said.

"They just waited, waited and waited and then when they got the loose ball they were able to put that away.

"We didn't give them too many loose balls but when we did they put them away.

"I really don't think we could have bowled much better with that kind of attack."

Warne, in his first full day of Test cricket since finishing his doping ban, came off the field smothered in dirt, looking a little worse for wear and with unflattering figures of 2-103 off 32 overs, 27 of which he bowled today.

It was a tough workout in his comeback to the big time and would have brought back unpleasant memories of India in 2001 when he toiled for hours in the hot sun for little reward.

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