JOIN USAus hold edge as SL face uphill task
Australia removed Sri Lanka’s openers cheaply to leave the tourists clinging on at 65 for two and chasing an imposing 393 runs for victory at the close of play on the fourth day of the first Test on Monday.
There was bad news for the hosts on the injury front, however, with skipper Michael Clarke retiring hurt after smashing 57 runs off 46 balls to help drive his side to 278 in their second innings.
Coach Mickey Arthur said the 31-year-old, the highest run scorer in Test cricket this year with 1,489, had suffered a hamstring injury but would play on in Hobart even if he might miss the second Test in Melbourne.
Sri Lanka were dismissed for 336 on Sunday in reply to Australia’s first innings 450 for five declared and will need to set a new record for a fourth innings run chase at Hobart to beat the 369 Australia scored against Pakistan in 1999.
At stumps, Lanka’s hopes were in the experienced hands of Kumar Sangakkara (18 not out) and skipper Mahela Jayawardene, unbeaten on five. Spinner Rangana Herath took five for 95.
While the Sri Lankan bowlers had to wait for their reward after being frustrated by the hosts’ openers for much of the morning, their Australian counterparts made a more immediate impact. Shane Watson struck with his first ball to remove Tillakaratne Dilshan caught behind for 11.
Dimuth Karunaratne had put 30 runs on the board when he also fell victim to a superb yorker from Mitchell Starc.