Sydney, Dec 27 : Michael Clarke scored his fifth Test century this year to help Australia extend its first-innings lead over Sri Lanka to 284 at stumps in the Boxing Day Test match at the MCG.

Sri Lanka had pegged back Australia to 6-315 with three quick wickets before tea on Thursday, however No. 8 Mitchell Johnson (73 not out) ensured the home side ends day two with a hefty lead, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Clarke hit 106 to become Australia''s highest Test run scorer in a calendar year with 1595 runs at an average of 106.33, the paper said. The Australian captain, who batted superbly despite straining a hamstring in last week''s first Test wins in Hobart, struck 14 boundaries off 187 deliveries, it added.

Shane Watson (83) and Clarke added 194 for the fourth wicket before falling in consecutive overs, the paper further added. Pace men Dhammika Prasad (3-102) Shaminda Eranga
(2-106) worked hard on a flat track, it reported.

Opening bowler Chanaka Welegedara left the field with a right-hamstring injury during the pre-lunch session on day two and their regular wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene sustained a fractured thumb while batting on day one, the paper concluded. (ANI)