Warne equals Murali's record as Sri Lanka hang on for draw
CAIRNS, July 13: Australia's Shane Warne took a world record-equalling 527th wicket on Tuesday but Sri Lanka held on to draw the second Test. The Lankans reached 183 for eight at the close after Australia had set them 355 to win.
Warne took three for 129 and four for 70 after starting the game needing seven wickets to equal Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan's world mark of 527. Warne's 527th wicket came via third umpire Bob Parry when the leg-spinner had Upul Chandana stumped for 14 at 174 for eight.
With a small crowd of just under 1,700 cheering on Warne's every move, tailenders Chaminda Vaas (11 not out) and Nuwan Zoysa (three not out) defied the Australians for 30 nervous minutes.
The 34-year-old Warne, who bowled 37 overs in the second innings, struck in the second over after lunch when he had opener Sanath Jayasuriya caught behind for 22 at 49 for two.
Mahela Jayawardene was caught behind off the bowling of Glenn McGrath for six at 58 for three and Thilan Samaraweera was run out for a duck six runs later. Kumar Sangakkara put on a defiant stand of 43 for the fifth wicket with Tillekeratne Dilshan, who fell on the final ball before tea for 21, caught at first slip by Warne off Jason Gillespie to make it 107 for five.
Warne then removed wicket-keeper Romesh Kaluwitharana for 14 at 136 for six, caught at short leg, as Sri Lanka defended grimly with no hope of victory. Sangakkara's 264-minute stay at the crease ended when Warne took his third wicket of the innings, bowling the left-hander for 66 including eight boundaries off 173 balls.
Warne then removed Chandana but despite having all the fielders round the bat another wicket eluded him. Earlier, Matthew Hayden blasted his second century of the match to guide Australia to 292 for nine 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 five for 101 - his second five-wicket haul of the match and the third of his 12-Test career. Hayden was recording his 20th hundred in his 55th Test. He also passed the milestone of 5,000 Test runs when he reached 75.
