KANDY : How appropriate that Shaun Marsh, in his long-awaited foray into Test cricket, has batted a lot like his Dad. Dogged and determined, patient and persistent, the 28-year-old West Australian had been waiting for this chance his whole life and was not about to waste it.That his father Geoff, the maker of 2854 hard-earned runs during his 50-Test career, was watching on from the grandstand at Pallekele Stadium made the occasion even more special.A noted blazer in limited-overs international cricket, questions remained about Marsh's compatibility with the longer form of the game even upon his selection here, as a direct replacement for the absent Ricky Ponting. They have been answered fairly emphatically thanks to a thoroughly convincing display that set Australia back on course for an imposing first-innings score in the second Test against Sri Lanka.By mid-afternoon, having conscientiously compiled an unbeaten 83, Marsh was edging closer towards a remarkable Test century on debut, a milestone last reached by an Australian when Marcus North - another West Australian left-hander - made 117 against South Africa in 2009. Other Australians to achieve the feat are his captain, Michael Clarke, Greg Chappell, Mark Waugh and Greg Blewett.Marsh, batting at No.3, arrived in the middle with Australia's command on the match just beginning to ease slightly as a result of the early departures of Shane Watson and Phillip Hughes, both for 36, and Clarke for 13.From 3-116 he and Michael Hussey (68 not out) - the unlikely star of day one with the ball and in the field - diligently restored the tourists' fortunes. They had passed Sri Lanka's meagre total of 174 by early afternoon and by tea had progressed the Australian innings to 3-251. Sri Lanka, by contrast, were losing the plot, bizarrely giving Kumar Sangakarra - who has only one first-class wicket behind him - the second new ball. Marsh settled quickly and only briefly lashed out in reaching a first Test half-century in 117 minutes and 133 balls. He brought up the fifty with two characteristic whacks to the long-off boundary that had rookie leg-spinner Seekkuge Prasanna scratching his head and Marsh snr on his feet in sheer pride. The shoulders continued to loosen as he worked his way closer to three figures.Hussey, man of the match in the first Test win in Galle last week, was also again the rock that Australia required, also reaching his half-century with a big thud to the rope through square leg. The 36-year-old had earlier survived a couple of close shaves when the Sri Lankans thought they had him run out and then leg-before.Marsh's composed debut, however, was difficult to overshadow. He entered his first Test with a first-class average of only 37, a record containing only six centuries, although his performances in the past three years had been vastly better.Clarke, all of a sudden, is set to have a major selection dilemma to resolve when he leads the phone hook-up with his fellow selectors before next week's third Test. With Ponting to slot straight back in, having darted home for the birth of his daughter on Thursday, Hughes and Usman Khawaja could well find their places in the Australian line-up under serious strain.Hughes departed when his mis-hit bunt off spinner Suraj Randiv shot straight to Tharanga Paranavitana at back pad. Clarke was also gone before lunch, edging left-arm paceman Chanaka Welegedara to Tillakaratne Dilshan at third slip with a loose shot.Watson had earlier his off stump displaced while leaving a thunderbolt from Sri Lankan spearhead Suranga Lakmal. The vice-captain had not added to the 36 he had compiled on Thursday afternoon and made a poor decision not to play at the off-cutter, having almost been bowled by an electric Lakmal the ball before
