Lanka’s dramatic batting collapse puts Oz in driver’s seat in SCG Test

London: Sri Lanka suffered a dramatic batting collapse on day three of the final Test match in Sydney to give Australia the chance to complete a 3-0 series whitewash over the tourists.

The visitors overcame a brilliant Matt Wade century to be well positioned to set Australia a challenging fourth innings chase and push for a massive boil over in the third Test, the Age reports. But Lanka suffered an embarrassing second-innings capitulation in the final session to be 7-225 at stumps. Now, much is needed from remaining batsman Dinesh Chandimal if the Sri Lankans are to make something of their current lead of 87. A series sweep for Australia and a winning farewell for retiring great Mike Hussey now appear a simple matter of time - the only problem being Mr Cricket may not bat again. At least captain Michael Clarke threw Hussey the ball for Saturday`s last over. The Australians were under pressure at tea despite declaring at 9-432 half an hour before lunch for a first-innings lead of 138. Sri Lankan batsmen Mahela Jayawardene (60) and Dimuth Karunaratne (85) played brilliantly to combine for 108, virtually eroding the deficit, but 1-132 quickly became 6-178. Thilan Samaraweera and Lahiru Thirimanne were the chief culprits for playing unforgivable shots, before a disastrous run-out claimed captain-in-waiting Angelo Mathews. When skipper Jayawardene was caught behind off Peter Siddle the next over, hope was running out for a brave but ultimately irresponsible Sri Lanka. ANI