For the first time in this series, the Sri Lankan top-order batted with a lot more responsibility on the fourth day of the second Test against Australia here, as it fights for a draw with one more day left to go.
Sri Lanka was 223-2 at stumps on day four. Australia is still ahead by 14 runs and it would require another similar effort on the fifth and final day, to keep the relentless Aussies at bay.
Again, for the first time in this series, the first, second and third-wicket partnerships exceeded 50 runs. Kumar Sangakkara (69 not out), who narrowly missed out on a fifty in the fist innings made up for that loss. He and Mahela Jayawardene (38 n.o.) were at the crease at close.
Sri Lankan captain T.M. Dilshan (36) led a spirited fight-back in the company of opening batsman Tharanga Paranavitana (55), and kept the Aussies at bay for almost an entire session. At lunch, Sri Lanka had progressed to 83 for the loss of Dilshan in 28 overs.
It was not supposed to be like this. Dilshan was in full flow when, at 11.35 am, rain, the presiding deity of the match intervened again after 25.4 overs was bowled. Sri Lanka was 81 without loss when the players hurried off following sharp showers. About 20 minutes later, play resumed and two overs were bowled.
The first over proved eventful as Dilshan lost his concentration and slashed a delivery outside off-stumps into the hands of Watson in second slip. For the fourth time in as many innings, Dilshan, who has demanded accountability from his colleagues, failed to capitalise on the opportunity.
With the pitch easing off and not offering anything to the pacemen or the spinners, Australian bowlers sought to keep the ball in the right areas to slow down scoring. While Copeland succeeded in this and was exceedingly frugal in giving away anything, the others did not have the same degree of success.
The opening pair put up a 50 partnership and looked set for a great deal more when Dilshan slashed at a delivery and left. In between, there was a straight forward chance that Michael Hussey put down offered by Dilshan at gully, and also a chance of a run out. But the luck, for once, favoured the Sri Lankans and they kept going on from there.
Paranavitana too had a share of luck. It looked as if he had gloved a Johnson delivery. Replays were inconclusive and the third umpire concurred with the field umpire’s ‘not out’ decision on this. A few moments late, writing on Twitter, Shane Warne lashed out: “Rubbish decision in Sri Lanka by 3rd umpire - smashed the glove and a noise - OUT !!!!!”
Hussey’s dream series continued with him striking yet again in the first over of his spell. Clarke had tossed the ball to Hussey more out of desperation than anything else. Bowling a decent line and length to the two batsmen, he drew Paranavitana out with one pitched on the off and moving further away. Paranavitana got a feather, the third umpire ruled, following an Aussie referral. In 99 per cent of such cases, the batsmen would be given the benefit of doubt. Not today though.
Earlier, Michael Clarke declared at the overnight score of 411 for 7 and took the gamble to push for a win with two days left in the match. The threatening clouds have refused to subside, and there is also a rain forecast for the last day of the game. In three days, nearly three sessions have been lost to the weather.
