Lankans frustrate Aussies

Cairns:

Sri Lanka's batsmen proved hard to budge and frustrated Australia's attempts to claim a match-winning lead in the second cricket Test today. The Sri Lankans bounced back from the misery of their 149-run mauling inside three days in Darwin last week to defy Australia's all-star bowling attack and greatly improve their chances of avoiding a second series clean sweep inside five months. When rain and bad light forced an early end to the third day's play, the tourists were 411 for five -- 106 runs behind Australia's first innings of 517. Tilan Samaraweera was unbeaten on 53 with wicketkeeper Romesh Kaluwitharana not out 30, with just two days remaining in the Test to glean a result. Meanwhile, leg-spinner Shane Warne picked up another wicket to edge to within five wickets of equalling Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan's 527-wicket world record haul. (AP)