Rain dampens intriguing contest

A gently intoxicating contest that has produced 928 runs and three high-class centuries now seems likely to end in a draw, with heavy rain delaying the start of play on this fourth morning at Cairns. The covers were eventually removed, lunch was taken early and play resumed just after midday, two-and-a-half hours late, with Sri Lanka still 106 runs behind on the first innings.

The main chance of a result would seem to lie in Australia hurriedly knocking over Sri Lanka's lower order, quickly knocking up a substantial second innings themselves, then declaring sometime tomorrow morning. Failing that, the main interest will centre on Shane Warne and his pursuit of the six wickets he now needs to overhaul Muttiah Muralitharan's world record. Against him is the weather and the pitch's impeccable behaviour. In his favour is the fact that the fast men haven't looked like taking too many wickets themselves, thus leaving the stage clear for the great blond maestro.