Centurion Sangakkara puts up tough scrap

The Sri Lankan vice-captain charged down the track against Stuart MacGill and smashed the ball down the ground to bring up his 15th Test century. Kumara Sangakkara battled on Day 4 against a fired up Australian bowling unit and ensured the visitors ended the penultimate day of the Test series on 247/3 – still needing an improbable 260 runs to square the series 1-1, whereas the hosts require a further 7 wickets to whitewash the series 2-0.

Sangakkara (109) and Jayasuriya (33) were the unbeaten batsmen at the crease during the close of play. The duo put on a partnership of 89 runs for the fourth wicket. Atapattu, who is to retire from international cricket at the end of the Australian tour, scored a valuable 80 in his last Test innings. Brett Lee dismissed the veteran opener and followed it up with Jayawardena’s wicket in the very next delivery.

Earlier, skipper Ricky Ponting was unbeaten on 53 when he declared Australia's second innings at 210/2, setting Sri Lanka 507 to win the second Test. The world champions won the first Test by an innings and 40 runs, had 35 minutes to bowl at Sri Lanka before lunch on the fourth day and five sessions after that to push for victory.

It would take a world record innings for Sri Lanka to win and level the series, the West Indies' 418 against Australia at Antigua in 2003 is the highest winning chase for a team batting fourth. Mike Hussey continued his outstanding run, finishing unbeaten on 34. He scored centuries in his two other innings in the series.

Australia resumed at 111/1 and added 99 runs for the loss of one wicket in 26 overs on the fourth morning at the Bellerive Oval. Hussey hoisted Muttiah Muralidaran for a six to lift Australia to 204-2, a lead of exactly 500, and the declaration came after the following over.

Opener Phil Jacques was out for 68, ending his run of centuries (100 in Brisbane and 150 in the first innings here) when he miscued a cut shot against Lasith Malinga to Michael Vandort in the outfield.

Fruitless MuralidaranGabba: 2/170
Hobart: 1/140 & 1/90

Overall: 4/400 – The spinner averaged 100 runs per wicket in the series.

Ricky Ponting and his team have ensured that Muralidaran leaves Australia without the elusive world-record – more importantly, has confirmed that the off spinner isn’t a threat whatsoever.

Matthew Hayden was trapped LBW for 33 by Muralidaran during the last session of Day 3. That gave the Sri Lankan spinner his 704th Test wicket, four behind retired Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne's world record of 708. The Sri Lankan off-spinner didn’t claim any more wickets in the match.

Muralidaran, who had high expectations of surpassing Warne's mark in Australia, finished the series with four wickets and will have to wait until Sri Lanka's series against England to pursue the record again.