REPLAY: Follow the action from day four of the first Test between Australia and Sri Lanka

RE-LIVE the action from day four of the first Test between Australia and Sri Lanka in Hobart.

RE-LIVE the action from day four of the first Test between Australia and Sri Lanka in Hobart.

6.03pm AEDT - SL 2/65 AT STUMPS

Shane Watson bowls the last over of the day and it is without incident, as Sri Lanka end the day at 2/65, needing another 328 to win.

The visitors will go into tomorrow's final day thinking about survival and nothing else on an uneven deck that has seen the ball do weird and wonderful things this evening - including a stock Peter Siddle delivery that - after hitting a crack - could have passed for a Shane Warne legbreak.

Two of Sri Lanka's most experienced heads are at the crease, in Kumar Sangakkara (18 off 88) and captain Mahela Jayawardene (five off 37).

Play resumes tomorrow at 10.10am at Bellerive, where Australia will be confident of going on to secure their first victory of the summer.

We'll see you then.

5.58pm AEDT - SL 2/65

Jayawardene cuts Hussey for FOUR. It's the first boundary in a long time - and Jayawardene's second scoring shot out of 37 balls faced.

5.56pm AEDT - SL 2/60

Mike Hussey into the attack. He's as good a chance of hitting the right crack as anyone.

5.45pm AEDT - SL 2/59

Hooray! Jayawardene gets off the mark after 25 balls.

5.35pm AEDT - SL 2/57

Shane Watson back into the attack and his first ball hits another crack and essentially rolls along the ground.

Sri Lanka need a miracle if they are to survive on this deck tomorrow.

5.32pm AEDT - SL 2/57

Who needs Warnie when you've get Peter Siddle?

The Aussie spearhead just bowled a ball that deviated 53cm after it hit a crack, just like a classic legbreak by the Sheik of Tweak.

It didn't do any damage though. The ball moved so far that Jayawardene couldn't get anywhere near it - well not within 53cm of it, anyway.

5.23pm AEDT - SL 2/52

Ooooh. Mitchell Starc gets one to hit a crack off a shortish delivery and it just about cuts Sangakkara in half. 

It hit him around the ribs - but he knows better than to rub it.

5.05pm AEDT - SL 2/47

WICKET!

Dimuth Karunaratne departs for a patient 30 off 81 balls.

A brilliant Mitchell Starc yorker brought about his downfall, swinging late and taking off stump.

That brings captain Mahela Jayawardene to the middle, joining Kumar Sangakkara who is on just six off 42 balls.

4.59pm AEDT - SL 1-44

Slow going from the Sri Lankans. It appears they've already decided a draw is more likely than chasing down the 393 required to win, so they've dropped the anchor.

4.37pm AEDT - SL 1/36

DROPPED!

Michael Clarke puts down a big chance off Kumar Sangakkara at first slip off Nathan Lyon's bowling.

Sangakkara was cutting but found the edge and Clarke seemed to lose sight of it.

Pup was positioned well but moved initially to his left and the ball caught the outside of his right hand, before going down.

It was a very catchable height - waist height, in fact - and we've seen him take harder chances than that.

Could be costly.

Meg Lanning's super innings

4.20pm AEDT - SL 1/30

Runout chance missed.

Sri Lanka's running between the wickets has been ordinary thoughout this Test and this was no exception.

Sangakkara blocks toward Warner at point and Karunaratne starts his run but is sent back.

Warner throws and misses by about a metre - but Karunaratne would have been out by a metre!

Warner is battling some sort of injury on his throwing arm, continually grabbing at it and wincing in pain. That might be a reason for the inaccurate throw - he is an outstanding fieldsman.

4.15pm AEDT - SL 1/27

Nathan Lyon into the attack.

He got a few to really turn out of the footmarks yesterday.

The spinner will be key to Australia's chances and will have to a hell of a lot of work.

4.08pm AEDT - SL 1/26

WICKET!

Shane Watson strikes with his first ball.

He puts it on a length outside off and Tillakaratne Dislhan, the man who scored a century in Sri Lanka's first innings, gets a faint edge through to Matty Wade.

Kumar Sangakkara to the crease.

Watson

3.59pm AEDT - SL 0/25

Peter Siddle has a big shout for lbw turned down but the Aussies decide to review.

Replay shows there was bat first.

Karunaratne survives.

3.58pm AEDT - SL 0/24

Goot battle between Starc and Karunaratne.

The big quick is steaming in and bowling fast. He's beat the bat and also exploited theuneven bounce, but the Sri Lankan is holding firm.

3.48pm AEDT - SL 0/20

Fireworks!

Karunaratne blocks a ball back to Starc and the furstrated quick pelts it - supposedly with the intention of hitting the stumps - but it strikes the batsman on the foot and he's not happy.

A ball earlier, Karunaratne got a thick inside edge that flew out of reach of an outstretched Matthew Wade. That might have had something to do with it.

3.43pm AEDT - SL 0/15

Sri Lankans looking steady. New ball not doing much.

Clarke's injury will likely mean he won't be able to bowl, thinning Australia's stocks even further.

We know what Siddle is capable of, so it's over to Starc and Watson to really lift if the hosts want to break their win drought this summer.

Maybe Dave Warner could pick up a few?

3.31pm AEDT - SL 0/9

Karunaratne off to a solid start, scoring eight of Sri Lanka's nine runs so far.

Michael Clarke is calling the shots from slip, despite retiring hurt with a hamstring strain.

If Clarke does have to sit out the Boxing Day Test with this injury, Dean Jones has an idea...

Could CA ask Punter to capt at MCG Boxing Day test is Pup doesn't pull up? Punter would have a crack at it I reckon!

— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) December 17, 2012

3.06pm AEDT - AUS 278 at tea

With Michael Clarke not batting again after retiring hurt with a hamstring injury, Australia's innings is over and the Sri Lankans need 393 to win.

The Sri Lankans might fancy their chances, with a superb batting lineup featuring the likes of Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and first innings century-maker Tillakaratne Dilshan.

They also have the benefit of taking on a weakened batting lineup, with Ben Hilfenhaus not able to bowl for the remainder of the match due to a side strain.

Could be a good finish to this one.

Clarke

3.04pm AEDT - AUS 9/278

WICKET!

Ben Hilfenhaus is trapped lbw by Herath, giving the spinner figures of 5/96 and taking back to the top of the Test bowling charts for the 2012 calendar year.

2.59pm AEDT - AUS 8/277

Confirmation Michael Clarke will not bat again in this innings.

2.54pm AEDT - AUS 8/271

WICKET!

Nathan Lyon is bowled by his rival spinner Rangana Herath while attempting the big heave to mid on.

Ben Hilfenhaus has come out to bat, even though he will not be able to bowl due to a side strain.

2.49pm AEDT - AUS 7/265

Interesting situation here. Aussies are seven down, but given Hilfenhaus and Clarke are injured, this is potentially the last wicket.

According to Channel 9, Hilfy has the pads on and is ready to bat

With Australia's lead up to 379, a declaration should be around the corner in any case.

2.43pm AEDT - AUS 7/256

WICKET!

Now Starc departs. All happening at Bellerive.

The big lefty is struck under his boot off Welegedara and given lbw.

Starc reviews, thinking it might be missing leg, but the replay shows it was just clipping leg stump so the decision stands.

2.39pm AEDT - AUS 6/250

WICKET!

Siddle is out for four to a sharp catch from Prasanna, one-handed down to his right, off the bowling of Welegedara.

2.31pm AEDT - AUS 5/238

CLARKE RETIRES HURT!

Big news at Bellerive as Michael Clarke leaves the ground with an apparent right hamstring injury.

The physio came out to the middle and Clarke was seen grabbing at the back of his right leg before a decision was made for him to leave the ground.

Clarke had made 57 off 46 balls.

Hope Clarky's Hammy is only referred tightness from his back problemsIf not we may need a run scoring rotation for our batsman#AusvSL

— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) December 17, 2012

2.26pm AEDT - AUS 5/231

FIFTY!

And there's Pup's half century, off just 43 balls.

It comes off a very unconvincing leading edge down the ground, but he still gets three.

Key runs.

2.25pm AEDT - AUS 5/228

Huge over from Clarke, belting Herath for a four and a six

2.20pm AEDT - AUS 5/217

Michael Clarke is looking very good - but no surprise there.

He's up to 37 now off just 37 balls.

2.04pm AEDT - AUS 5/196

Clarke (21) and Hussey (8) are trying to score quickly here as Australia's declaration nears.

The lead is up to 311 and you would think Pup would settle for no less than 350 - and probably closer to 400.

But he needs to give his bowler's time. Hilfenhaus is not returning this Test, meaning another ironman effort will be required from Siddle and co.

Don't forget, you can see the wickets in the interactive scoreboard.

1.49pm AEDT - AUS 5/181

WICKET!

Aussiescollapsing in Bellerive. Matty Wade finds Kulasekara in the deep and Herath has his third wicket of the innings. Wade made 11.

Mike Hussey joins Clarke in the middle. These guys can bat a bit so Sri Lanka need to keep this going.

Aussies have lost 5/49.

Wade

1.35pm AEDT - AUS 4/165

WICKET!

Sri Lanka are on fire.

Phil Hughes is the man to go this, time chopping on off the bowling of Eranga. He was cutting to close to his body and has got out like this plenty of times in the past.

Matty Wade jumped the queue and came in ahead of Michael Clarke as a pinch hitter, but the Australian captain is on his way out now.

Hughes

1.23pm AEDT - AUS 3/153

WICKET!

Sri Lanka take their third wicket in quick succession as Watson is stumped off the bowling of Herath.

The Australian is beaten in flight and dragged out of his crease on a long stride and Jayawardene does the rest behind the stumps.

Watson

1.13pm AEDT - AUS 2/147

Shocking decision first up after lunch. Shane Watson is given out lbw after not offering a shot to Herath as the ball strikes his pad.

Watson reviews and the replay shows the ball is missing off by probably 10cm, if not more.

12.30pm AEDT - AUS 2/146

That's lunch and Australia leads by 260.

The Australians were cruising but two quick wickets - first Warner for 68 then his opening partner Cowan for 56.

Phi Hughes is out there on nine, with Shane Watson two.

Here are couple things to keep you entertained during the lunch break:

Jadeja bowls worst ball in history

What do you reckon about Steve Smith's gangsta style?

12.14pm AEDT - AUS 2/140

WICKET!

Cowan's bowled for 56, and all of a sudden Australia have two new batsmen at the crease.

Phil Hughes (6) is about to be joined by Shane Watson.

Welegedara picked up the wicket with a ball that cuts back and finds the gap between bat and pad.

Australia Sri Lanka Cricket

11.59am AEDT AUS 1/132

WICKET!

Warner's gone. Got a bottom edge cutting off Herath and keeper Jayawardene takes a bobbling catch behind the stumps.

His 68 came off 119 balls. He was only just starting to get going.

11.54am AEDT AUS - 0/126

Warner's in the mood now, pulling out the switch hit on Herath and sweeping him for four.

11.50am AEDT AUS - 0/122

FIFTY!

Cowan to 50 now with a cut off Welegedara behind square for four. Nice way to bring it up.

11.46am AEDT - AUS 0/116

Yep, Warner's teeing off now. Huge six off Herath to cow corner. This is going to be fun.

11.40am AEDT - AUS 0/107

FIFTY!

Dave Warner wins the race to the half ton, bringing it up with a pull shot off Welegedara that bounces once before crashing into the fence.

Starting to get the feeling he is about to turn it on.

11.33m AEDT - AUS 0/100

Australia moves to 100 without loss with a beautiful Ed Cowan pull shot that is one of the shots of the morning.

Kulasekara is the man punished.

Cowan's on 46 and Warner 45. Lead's up to 214.

11.19am AEDT - AUS 0/87

Funny stuff as the Aussies run four and could almost have run five on a late Cowan cut from the spinner Rangana Herath.

The outfielder cuts the ball off easily but, instead of launching it into the keeper, decides to underarm to his nearby captain Mahela.

The underarm is way over Mahela's head though, and the captain has to scamper for the ball.

11.08am AEDT - AUS 0/81

Referral. Sri Lanka think they may have Ed Cowan out caught behind off the bowling of Angelo Mathews.

Unfortunately for them, they're wrong again. The ball missed everything and the noise - if any - appears to be Cowan's bat on pad.

Great nut, though, from Angelo. Nipped away and beat Cowan all ends up.

11.02am AEDT - AUS 0/80

SrI Lanka have tightened things up, but don't look like taking a wicket.

Australians not doing anything silly - not even Warner.

Solid start.

10.47am AEDT - AUS 0/74

Brave move from the keeper Prasanna Jayawardene, moving up to the stumps to keep to the quick Nuwan Kulasekara.

It's a move to get Ed Cowan batting in his crease. The opener had crept forward a good 30-40cm to negate the swing and lessen the chance of an lbw (he should have been given out plumb in front late yesterday).

10.42am AEDT - AUS 0/73

Ooh, Mathews puts one on a length and it stays low. Cowan can't get near it but it's well outside off, so no danger.

Still, it shows there's something in this deck for the bowlers - as most suspected.

10.39am AEDT - AUS 0/73

The Sri Lankans have not bowled well this morning so it's difficult to say whether the pitch is doing much or not - very tough to judge uneven bounce on half volleys being sent to the fence.

Cowan's 33 and Warner 31. Have been ticking the scoreboard along in ones and twos the past few overs.

Warner

10.27am AEDT - AUS 0/62

How would you play it from here if you were Michael Clarke? What's the total you'd be happy to defend? How long do you give your bowlers to bowl Sri Lanka out?

The lead's already up to 176. I'd be looking for quick runs to get the lead out to almost 400 and put the Sri Lankans in after tea. Australia need at least a day and a session, being a bowler down.

10.19am AEDT - AUS 0/51

Cracking start from the Australians this morning.

Cowan's moved to 22 and Warner 21.

And yes, the deep point is already in place.

10.03am AEDT - AUS 0/31

Good signs for Warner early, square driving an Eranga half volley to the fence.

Strangely no deep point. Yet.

Warner's on 12 and Cowan 16.

9.45am AEDT

Good morning and welcome to our coverage of the fourth day of the first Test between Australia and Sri Lanka at Bellerive Oval.

Openers Ed Cowan and Dave Warner resume this morning at 0/27, but with the Australians effectively 0/141 having secured a 114-run first innings lead.

It will be interesting to see how the deck plays, with signs of uneven bounce late yesterday.

Play is set to begin at 10am, with the Aussies out to build on their lead before sending the Sri Lankans back in later today.

Michael Clarke will want to give his bowlers plenty of time to bowl the visitors out, considering they will again be a bowler down after Ben Hilfenhaus broke down with a side strain.