Sri Lanka reached 29 without loss at stumps as bad light ended play on day two of the second Test against Australia at Bellerive Oval in Hobart.
The opening pair of Marvan Atapattu (17 not out) and Michael Vandort (12 not out), shifted up the order at the expense of Sanath Jayasuriya, nervously but safely negotiated 12 overs of high-class bowling from Brett Lee and Michael Johnson.
The Aussie quicks began the innings with a succession of maiden overs and Johnson could have quite easily dismissed Vandort when he was yet to score, the burly Sri Lankan thick-edging a rising delivery straight over the hands of Ricky Ponting at slip.
Not surprisingly the tourists had no hesitation in taking the offer of bad light when it was offered by umpire Rudi Koertzen.
Australia declared its first innings closed at a mammoth 5 for 542 just after tea, with Adam Gilchrist finishing unbeaten on 67 and Andrew Symonds not out 50.
Gilchrist became the first man to hit 100 sixes in Test match cricket when he belted Muttiah Muralidaran over the rope in successive deliveries just prior to the declaration.
The second heave went out of the ground, forcing the umpires to find another ball.
Australia lost just two wickets today, with Michael Hussey dismissed for 132, his second century of the series, and Michael Clarke out for 71.
Dilhara Fernando broke a 125-run fourth wicket stand when he trapped Hussey lbw.
The Western Austalian faced 220 deliveries and hit 18 fours and a six.
Clarke then appeared set to score his second century of the series but was brought undone by a wayward bouncer from paceman Lasith Malinga, who had him caught behind by wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene.
Rain caused minor problems early, bringing an early end to the first session and then again halting play two overs into the second session.
The Australians restricted Muralidaran to just one wicket, meaning he now has 703, five behind Shane Warne's world record.
