Lanka cling on to draw, Warne touches Murali

Warne’s 527th wicket came via third umpire Bob Parry when the leg spinner had Upul Chandana stumped for 14 at 174-8.

With a small crowd of just under 1,700 cheering on Warne’s every move, tailenders Chaminda Vaas (11 not out) and Nuwan Zoysa (3 not out) defied the Australians for 30 nervous minutes. The draw meant Australia won the two-match series 1-0.

Captain Ricky Ponting said: “We are probably all a little bit disappointed for him (that he did not beat the record) but it was a fantastic achievement to equal the world record.”

Earlier, player of the series Matthew Hayden blasted his second century of the match to guide Australia to 292-9 declared after beginning the day on 194-2. Hayden made 132 off 171 balls with 10 fours and one six before he was bowled by Chandana who took 5-101, his second five-for in the match.

BRIEF SCORES

: 517 and 292-9 decl (M Hayden 132, D Martyn 52, R Ponting 45; U Chandana 5/101, T Dilshan 2/4, N Zoysa 2/34) vs Sri Lanka: 455 and 183-8 (K Sangakkara 66; S Warne 4/70, J Gillespie 2/39)