Australian captain Michael Clarke retired hurt for 57 with a right-hamstring strain on a dramatic day four of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Hobart.
Australia were bowled out for 278 at tea on Monday, setting Sri Lanka a target of 393 to win with four sessions remaining.
Clarke played a delightful cameo knock of 57 off 46 deliveries before rubbing his right hamstring and calling team physio Alex Kountouris onto the field for a quick discussion about his injury and departing.
The 31-year-old Clarke has scored 1489 runs in 2012, 55 runs shy of Ricky Ponting’s national record set in 2005.
However while there is one more Test remaining in the year for the Australian side, Clarke’s participation in the Boxing Day Test could be in doubt.
Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath took 5-95, his seventh five-wicket haul of 2012, to leap to 60 wickets ahead of his nearest competition, Graeme Swann of England, on 59.
Earlier, David Warner (68) and Ed Cowan (56) shared a partnership of 132. It was their second century stand for the first wicket in Cowan’s 11-Test career.
Australia added 119 in the morning session to reach 2-146 at lunch. Herath, who had removed Warner caught behind, claimed a second victim when Shane Watson (five) was stumped.
Phil Hughes (16) dragged a ball from Shaminda Eranga onto his stumps at 4-165 and Matthew Wade (11) slogged a catch to long-on from Herath’s bowling three overs later.
Herath was growing in confidence although Clarke clipped a four and a six through mid-wicket in the 66th over.
Clarke reached his half-century off 43 deliveries but was soon gone retired hurt.
Chanaka Welegedara removed tailenders Peter Siddle (four) and Mitchell Starc (five) cheaply and Nathan Lyon was Herath’s fourth victim.
Ben Hilfenhaus, who’s unlikely to bowl in Sri Lanka’s second innings because of a side strain, was last man out for a duck.
Cricket Australia confirmed in a statement that Clarke had suffered a right-hamstring injury which would be assessed by medical staff.
Mitchell Johnson and the uncapped Jackson Bird are among the contenders to replace Hilfenhaus for the Melbourne Boxing Day Test.
Former Test No.3 Usman Khawaja is a possible candidate to play in Melbourne if Clarke fails a fitness test, with vice-captain Shane Watson tipped to take over as skipper.
