Australia’s captain and in-form batsman Michael Clarke is in doubt for the Melbourne Test after suffering a hamstring injury on day four of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Hobart.
The tourists will resume on Tuesday on 2-65 from 37 overs, requiring another 328 runs to win.
Clarke was due to have scans on Monday night to determine the extent of his right-hamstring problem.
The skipper retired hurt after hitting 57 in Australia’s second innings of 278 on a pitch that is starting to keep low.
Clarke returned to action in Sri Lanka’s second innings, looking stiff and sore at first slip and dropping a vital catch.
Australia’s other injury concern is pace bowler Ben Hilfenhaus who didn’t field and is unlikely to bowl again in the match because of a side strain he suffered on Sunday.
He could also be in doubt for the second Test in Melbourne on Boxing Day.
Sri Lanka’s two all-time leading run scorers, Mahela Jayawardene (five not out), and Kumar Sangakkara (18 not out), are at the crease.
Shane Watson struck with his first ball of the innings when he had Sri Lanka’s first-innings century-maker Tillakaratne Dilshan caught behind for 11 while Mitchell Starc yorked Dimuth Karunaratne for 30 at 2-47.
Starc had lost his cool when Karunaratne inside-edged a ball past wicketkeeper Matthew Wade for four in the fifth over. Starc fielded the next delivery in his follow-through and threw the ball back at the batsman, hitting him on the ankle.
The batsman was furious and Starc lifted one hand in a form of apology.
Clarke’s injury came back to haunt Australia as the usually reliable fielder failed to touch a chance that went through his legs at first slip off the bowling of spinner Nathan Lyon when Sangakkara was on three.
David Warner missed chances to run out Karunaratne on 16 and Jayawardene for a duck.
Jayawardene took 25 balls to get off the mark against Australia’s accurate bowling.
If Sri Lanka can score 393 to win it will be the fifth-highest successful fourth-innings run-chase in Test history.
Warner (68) and Ed Cowan (56) shared an opening stand of 132 for Australia.
Mike Hussey was unbeaten on 31 while Sri Lanka’s star spinner Rangana Herath claimed 5-95.