Australia set huge target for Sri Lanka

HOBART, Australia, Nov 19 (Reuters) Australia set Sri Lanka a near-impossible target of 507 to win the second test after declaring just before lunch on the fourth day at Bellerive Oval today.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting ended Australia's second innings on 210 for two, giving his bowlers the best part of two days to wrap up victory and a sweep of the two-test series after they won the first test in Brisbane by an innings and 40 runs.

Ponting completed his second half-century of the series to remain unbeaten on 53 while Mike Hussey made 34 not out after scoring hundreds in each of his two previous innings.

Australia declared 45 minutes before lunch after adding 99 runs in 26 overs for the loss of one wicket. Opener Phil Jaques, who had also scored centuries in his previous two innings was caught in the deep by Michael Vandort off Lasith Malinga for 68.

No team in 130 years of test cricket has scored more than 418 runs in the fourth innings to win a match.

REUTERS DKS BST0648