Sri Lanka need 82 runs to avoid the follow-on, and four of their top order batsmen were back in the pavilion when rain stopped play 32 minutes after lunch. Replying to Australia's first innings total of 342 all out, Sri Lanka scored 61 for four when dark clouds gathered over Colombo and it started to rain. Only one hour and 32 minutes of play was possible today. When it stopped raining, bad light prevented start of play.

When play started after an hour's delay, Sri Lanka made a disastrous start, losing skipper Sanath Jayasuriya's wicket on the first ball of the innings. They lost two more wickets -- Russel Arnold and opener Marvan Atapattu -- quickly. After lunch, Mahela Jayawardena (21) also departed.

SCOREBOARD

Australia (1st innings): 342

Sri Lanka (1st innings): S Jayasuriya c Warne b McGrath 0, M Atapattu c Healy bFleming 2, R Arnold lbw Fleming 0, A de Silva batting 19, M Jayawardena c Healy b Fleming 21, A Ranatunga batting 1. Extras (b8, lb1, nb5, w4): 18. Total (for 4 wkts in 21.5 overs) 61.

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-7, 3-10, 4-60.

Bowling: McGrath 10-3-25-1, Fleming 5.5-0-14-3, Warne 5-1-11-0, Miller 1-0-2-0.