(CNN) -- Mike Hussey scored a battling 95 to rescue Australia on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle Wednesday.
Hussey, affectionately labeled 'Mr Cricket' by Aussie fans, used all his knowledge and expertise to top score on a difficult wicket with took sharp spin.
He lifted them from 157 for five wickets at tea to 273 all out by the close, falling just five runs short of a well-deserved 14th Test century when he was the last man out.
He was trapped leg before wicket to Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan, having hit three sixes in a four-hour knock.
Only former captain Ricky Ponting offered much other resistance with 44 as wickets fell at regular intervals.
Seamer Suranga Lakmal and left-arm spinner Rangana Herath claimed three wickets apiece to lead the home attack.
Herath ended with three for 54 and Lakmal three for 55, comfortably his best figures in Tests.
"A lot will depend on how we bowl tomorrow," said Hussey told AFP at stumps.
"This is the driest first day wicket I have seen. The ball does tend to come up awkwardly. It will not be easy to bat on as the game progresses."
Australia made a fast start with Shane Watson smashing 22, but he fell to Herath while Lakmal removed fellow opener Phillip Hughes with a lifting delivery.
Australian captain Michael Clarke combined with Ponting to add 55 for the third wicket until he fell for 23 to Herath, who also claimed the prize wicket of Ponting.
It was left to Hussey to lift Australia to respectability with limited support from the middle order and tail.
In other international cricket news, Eoin Morgan smashed 49 off 27 balls as England beat India by six wickets in their first first Twenty20 international at Old Trafford, chasing a victory target of 166.
