Matthew Hayden posted his 20th Test century before Australia’s lower order collapsed on Tuesday and Ricky Ponting declared the second innings at 292 for nine, setting Sri Lanka 355 runs to win the second cricket Test.
At lunch on the fifth and final day, the Sri Lankans were 48 for one, still needing 307 runs to win with two sessions remaining.
Sanath Jayasuriya was unbeaten on 22 and Kumar Sangakarra was not out 13.
The Australian fast bowler had skipper Marvan Atapattu (9) caught at first slip by Shane Warne with the total at 15 — the only Sri Lankan wicket to fall in the morning session.
The Australians resumed at 194 for two and lost seven wickets for 98 runs on Tuesday morning, with legspinner Upul Chandana snaring five wickets to return 101-5 for the innings and finish with 10-210 for the match.
Hayden scored 132, including 10 boundaries and a towering six, to go with his 117 in the first innings. It was the second time in two years that Hayden has scored two centuries in a match.
He was bowled by Chandana while trying to lift the scoring rate and his dismissal came in the middle of a batting collapse.
Damien Martyn didn’t add to his overnight 52 before he was stumped by Kaluwitharana off Chandana’s bowling in the second over of the morning.
Hayden and Lehmann (21) lifted the total to 261 before Lehmann was caught at deep midwicket trying to hit out against Chandana.
Simon Katch (1) was stumped off Tillakaratne Dilshan’s bowling and Hayden was out five balls later as Australia lost two wickets with the total at 284.
Dilshan bowled Gilchrist and Chandana removed Shane Warne and Gillespie before Ponting declared, giving Sri Lanka 85 overs to overhaul Australia’s lead of 354 runs and finish the series at one-all. — Sapa-AP