Darren Lehmann's renaissance as a carefree, cavalier cricketer continued with a sweat-soaked century in the third cricket Test against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.

Lehmann, 34, kept alive Australia's hopes of a series whitewash with his fifth Test century and his second of the series.

At stumps on the first day Lehmann was unbeaten on 104, with Shane Warne on seven as Australia reached 6-314 on an energy-sapping day.

Since witnessing the incident that led to the death of his good mate and mentor David Hookes earlier this year, Lehmann has made a point of enjoying his cricket, playing each innings as if it was his last.

He allows himself creative licence and backs his superb hand-eye co-ordination to keep him alive at the crease.

At times he looks frivolous and unfashionable.

At other times, he looks positively bored.

But when it counts, he flays the ball to the boundary and his record speaks volumes for his method.

From his past 14 turns at bat, he's made five centuries with two half-centuries thrown in for good measure.

Not the fittest man in world cricket, Lehmann battled heat and stifling humidity in a four hour endurance Test.

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