Sri Lanka vs Australia: 1st Test, Day 4 — As it happened...

Fourth day's play called off due to rain and bad light. Australia need another 185 runs with seven wickets remaining.

READ: DAY 4 REPORT

Australia lost three early wickets before skipper Steve Smith steadied the innings as the visitors struggled to chase down a formidable looking target of 268 in a nail-biting first Test.

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Australia 203, 2nd Innings; Sri Lanka 117 & 353

Over 27 | Score 83/3 | (Smith 26*, Voges 9*)

Smith and Voges are in the process of stitching a decent partnership for Australia. Since they still trail by 185 runs, it's crucial from Australia's perspective that these two go on to add a formidable stand for the fourth wicket. So far, they have added unbeaten 20 runs. The visitors need much more than that to get closer to the total.

Over 20 | Score 67/3 | (Smith 17*, Voges 2*)

Sandakan ended Joe Burns' resistance as he bowled him with a ball that turned massively. The Lankans are making steady progress in perspective of the match. Smith is batting on 17, along with Voges, who was saved from being dismissed after he reviewed a decision which was given out by the field umpire. Australia trail by 201 runs with seven wickets remaining.

JA Burns b Sandakan 29 (57b)

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Over 10 | Score 44/2 | (Burns 21, Smith 4*)

Chasing a target of 268 runs, Lankans made early inroads after they dismissed David Warner cheaply for 1. The wicket was taken by Herath, who has been the hero for the hosts with the ball so far in this match. Dilruwan Perera then got the second breakthrough for the Lankans as he dismissed Khawaja for 18. Joe Burns is looking good and he is joined by skipper Steve Smith. Match seems to be evenly poised.

UT Khawaja lbw b MDK Perera 18 (22b)

DA Warner b Herath 1 (4b)

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Sri Lanka 2nd innings

Over 93.4 | Score 325

That's it. Hazlewood bags his second wicket in the form of Herath to wrap up the Lankan innings. 

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Over 90 | Score 334/9

Sri Lanka lost two quick wickets after lunch. Perera and Sandakan were sent back in to the hut by Hazlewood and Starc respectively.

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It's almost certain that umpires will call for an early lunch.

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Over 87 | Score 314/7

Dilruwan Perera and Rangana Herath put on 16 runs for the eight wicket. Play now has been interrupted by rain.

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Over 86 | Score 303/7

Not the ideal start for the hosts. Starc dismissed Mendis early on for 176.

After a brief delay, we are good to go for Day 4.

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Day 3 round up

A brilliant maiden century by Kusal Mendis helped Sri Lanka claw their way back into contention in the first Test against Australia on Thursday and open up a 196-run lead before play was suspended early due to bad light.

At the close of play on the third day in Pallekele, Sri Lanka had reached 282 for six, with Mendis unbeaten on 169, as the hosts gained the upper hand in a gripping contest against the world`s number one Test team.

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New Delhi: Live score and live updates from Day 4 of the 1st Test match between Sri Lanka and Australia at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.