Injury dramas, defiant batting and a ball-tampering allegation have added to Australia’s problems as they seek to claim victory on the final day of the first Test.
Sri Lanka were 3-144 at lunch on Tuesday at Hobart’s Bellerive Oval, requiring a further 249 runs to win.
Kumar Sangakkara is 58 not out off 206 balls and Thilan Samaraweera is 17 not out.
Sri Lanka’s team management have expressed concerns over footage that it says shows Australia’s Peter Siddle tampering with the ball in Sri Lanka’s first innings, according to a report on the Cricinfo website.
ICC match referee Chris Broad is aware of media reports about the issue, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Tuesday.
“The Sri Lankan team has made no official complaint about the ball,” a CA spokesman added.
In the only wicket to fall in the opening session on day five, Michael Clarke completed a brilliant low catch at first slip despite nursing a hamstring injury to dismiss rival captain Mahela Jayawardene for 19 off 77 balls.
Siddle made the breakthrough with a full-length ball as Jayawardene lunged forward in the 19th over of the day, ending a 65-run stand with Sangakkara.
Sangakkara was given out lbw to Shane Watson for 54 but the decision was overturned after a video referral from Sri Lanka.
Australia are a bowler down after paceman Ben Hilfenhaus broke down with a side strain during Sri Lanka’s first innings on Sunday.
Occasional legspinner David Warner bowled four overs for eight runs in the morning session, with Clarke unlikely to bowl himself on Tuesday as a spin option. Pace bowlers Siddle, Watson and Mitchell Starc have one wicket each.
The tourists scored 1-79 from 33 overs in the session, making slow progress and showing determination to survive rather than case quick runs at this stage of the game.
Australian coach Mickey Arthur says Clarke will receive treatment during breaks in play on Tuesday.
“You would have to cut Michael’s leg off for him not to be out there,” Arthur said.
“He certainly wants to marshal the troops and he wants to be there if hopefully sometime we can clinch a win.”