Australia struggles for wickets as Sri Lanka edges toward draw in 1st test at Hobart

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

HOBART, Australia — Sri Lanka edged closer to a hard-earned draw against Australia on Tuesday, losing just one wicket in a rain-affected second session to reach tea on the final day at 186-4.

Peter Siddle took the prize wicket of Kumar Sangakkara, trapping the No. 3 lbw for 63, but there was little joy for the home bowlers with Thilan Samaraweera unbeaten on a 112-ball 38.

Desperate for a breakthrough, captain Michael Clarke even called Matthew Wade out from behind the stumps to bowl the final over before tea as Phil Hughes took the wicketkeeper’s gloves.

Sri Lanka must now survive a minimum 36 overs to avoid defeat for only the third time in 11 tests in Australia, which is without a win this southern summer.

Samaraweera and Angelo Mathews, who was undefeated on 11, were focused only on survival rather than scoring, making life difficult for an attack missing the injured Ben Hilfenhaus.

Siddle ended the session having conceded just two runs from seven overs in a session punctuated by showers and a five-minute break for Mathews to have treatment after being struck on the elbow by Mitchell Starc.

Just 42 runs were scored from 24 overs.

Siddle also found himself at the centre of an accusation of ball tampering after Sri Lanka team manager Charith Senanayake said the tourists approached match referee Chris Broad to complain about the bowler allegedly lifting the seam on the ball.

“It’s unofficial, but it’s on video and the whole world has seen it, so let’s see what action they will take,” Senanayake said.

The only wicket Tuesday came in the morning when Clarke took a low catch at first slip to dismiss rival captain Mahela Jayawardene for 19 off the bowling of Siddle, who went in to tea with figures of 2-25 off 19 overs.

00:27ET 18-12-12