Sri Lanka appear to be the only team that can win the third Test as it enters its final day, but Australia will be desperate to avoid a series whitewash and come out with at least a draw. Join The Roar for live scores and updates from 2:30pm (AEST).
Sri Lanka have made a fantastic recovery throughout the match – reduced to 5-26 on Day 1, they reached 355 before holding Australia to just a 24-run first innings lead.
Kaushal Silva then scored a big century in the second innings to put Sri Lanka in control of the match, giving them a very sizeable target to defend.
They reached the end of Day 4 on 8-312, with Silva scoring 115. Solid back-up efforts from Dinesh Chandimal (43) and Dhananjay De Silva (44 not out), plus a few other useful contributions, ensured another frustrating day for the tourists.
Australia used eight different bowlers yesterday, but their spinners again struggled to contain Sri Lanka, despite taking six of the eight wickets between them.
Rangana Herath took six wickets in Australia’s first innings and will be the key again today, as the home side look like they are bowling on a completely different wicket to the Aussies.
With De Silva still at the crease and a lead of 288, the question now is whether Sri Lanka will continue batting on into Day 5. They have indicated they will to the media, but you would almost think they have enough of a lead now.
Given how their spinners have been bowling and that we could lose time to a thunderstorm in the afternoon, Sri Lanka will want to get this match wrapped up as quickly as possible.
Unless David Warner and Steve Smith go ballistic, there is no realistic chance of Australia chasing down the current lead, so the declaration should be straight away.
From there, it is the mental battle for Australia of trying to save a series sweep against the likes of Herath and Dilruwan Perera, who have been in awesome form.
Prediction
Can Australia hold on for a draw? If Sri Lanka don’t declare straight away then probably.
The question will be just how strong is their resolve? The Aussies have been beaten and beaten well in this series, so on the final day, with no chance of winning, it will be a true test.
If Sri Lanka do make the overnight declaration though, the likes of Herath and Perera will probably rip Australia to shreds.
Be sure to join The Roar for live updates of the final day’s play from 2:30pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
Herath is a standout but the performance of Starc in foreign confines must go down as one of the more remarkable bowling efforts seen On that alone it deserve consideration- but to the winners the spoils
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
Why? Easy because they lack the temperament and technique to excel in these confines
James Fairweather
Guest
Behind Smith and Shaun Marsh, of course. And possibly on a par with Mitchell Marsh. The thing is that more is expected of a batsman of his calibre, Scott. He and Smith set the tone for the rest of the side; if one of the two guns finishes a series with an average of around 27, it doesn't exactly inspire confidence in the rest. More than that, though is this nagging suspicion that Warner is capable of better. Of course he has built his reputation and career as a batsman with a stroke for every ball, one for whom a maiden bowled is almost a personal affront. On certain pitches and in a number of situations, there's no reason to change that approach. Once in a while, though, it would be nice to see something other than run-a-ball 40s, 50s and 60s when the prevailing conditions indicate that such an approach can only last for so long. Patience is needed from every batsman in the sub-continent and the Australian hit or bust method does seem to have percolated down through the order at times, this last day of the 3rd Test being a classic example. It's not as though Warner can't tailor his approach, either. Looking at his last tour of India, he put together an innings of 71 off 147 in Mohal, which showed admirable maturity, patience and judicious shot selection, qualities not always evident over the past three Tests. Warner is not a Khawaja or Burns, patently clueless against spin on the sub-continent. He is not going to harm Australia's strategy or results by occasionally scoring at 50 runs per 100 balls, rather than always seeking a one-day rate. Warner is by no means the worst batting culprit for the Sri Lanka debacle but he absolutely shares in the general criticism. It's not unreasonable to expect a lot more of someone with his manifold gifts, different conditions or not.
Bfc
Guest
Other than the first 2 Tests of this series, Khawaja has been perhaps our best. Is he the scapegoat...?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Sorry to break it to you Matthew but Warner was probably our best batsman.
danno
Guest
Warner, Marsh, Smith, Voges, Henriques, Marsh, Neville. The worst batting lineup in my lifetime.
Andy
Guest
are you serious about Starc?
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Overreact much?
jamesb
Guest
I think when we beat Sri Lanka 1-0 in 2011.
JoM
Guest
Just Warner? There were plenty who did way worse than him.
Chris
Guest
When was the last time we won?
matthew_gently
Guest
I'm bitter. During the coming summer, when the "batsmen" magically regain their form on home soil, I hope to see a few "Why couldn't you do that in Sri Lanka?" banners among the crowd. Warner's file at CA should be stamped with a big red "Never to play a Test outside Australia again".
jamesb
Guest
Australia's recent record in Asia. India 0-4 (2013) Pakistan 0-2 (2014) Sri Lanka 0-3 (2016)
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
And the pitches in this series weren't even difficult for batting ..... Australia seemed to be fearing raging turners, got spooked and started missing straight balls.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Incredible series win for Sri Lanka, well done to them. But boy the Aussie batting is it same old brittle self, we just can't play swing or spin, has been this way for so long. Our bowlers can hold there heads up.
jamesb
Guest
I see Australia's cricketers have performed just as well as our swimmers. It has been a golden few weeks for Australian sport.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
That was a clinical finish by Sri Lanka, a shambolic won by Australia. As poor as the Australians have been, full praise must be given to the home side who have rebounded magnificently after looking dead and buried 2/3 of the way through the 1st Test. Australia now face two very challenging home series - first SA and then Pakistan. Should be a cracking summer of Test cricket.
Prosen
Guest
This is more or less australia's best team,isn't it?the same one that climbed to no.1.
Prosen
Guest
@tim holt, perfect word to define australia this series.why were they so predictable?the reason to me is they kept losing in the head.as i've said they seriously need of a quality psychologist to inject some character and confidence.
DJW
Guest
When has Australia last chased a total down in th 4th innings batting second? Or saved a game for that matter.