Adam Gilchrist and Damien Martyn will be trying to build a big lead for Australia when the second cricket Test against Sri Lanka resumes.

Gilchrist, filling in at No.3 in the batting line-up for injured skipper Ricky Ponting, is on 140 not out while Damien Martyn is on 64.

After trailing by 91 on the first innings, Australia has a slender lead of just 130 at the moment and Gilchrist said it was important the world champions press on to a good score when they resume at 2-221.

He said the pitch was great for batting on the second day and would be ideal.

"It played pretty well and wasn't turning as sharply or quickly, which is maybe due to the moisture disappearing a bit," Gilchrist said.

"It's probably at it's batting best now ... so it's important for us to push on from here."

With so much time left in the game - three whole days weather permitting - Gilchrist said it was hard to nominate a target to set Sri Lanka, which needs to win to level the series after Australia won by 197 runs in Galle.

"It's hard to know what sort of numbers you need because there's so long left in the game.

"It's just a case of bat on at the moment."

Gilchrist said a decision to play straighter shots down the ground rather than the cross-bat shots which had been costing him his wicket, helped him to his big score.

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