Australia have given themselves a great chance of drawing the third and final Test against Sri Lanka after Phil Hughes’ century but face a nail-biting final day (Australia 25/1, Sri Lanka 5/1, draw 1/7 Match Betting In-Play).

The men from Down Under need only to draw the game to claim the three-match series, after their victory in the first Test, but they looked up against it after being dismissed for 316 in their first innings.

The Asians were in a strong position at the end of day three but added just 45 more runs on Monday before being dismissed for 473 in Colombo.

That gave Tillakaratne Dilshan’s side a first-innings lead of 157 but that has now been wiped out as the Aussies reached 209-3 at stumps on day four, with Hughes unbeaten on 122.

The left-hander has not contributed much with the bat during the series but the tourists will be glad they stuck with the 22-year-old, who struck 16 fours and one six en route to his third five-day century.

With Shane Watson falling for 21, Ricky Ponting out for 28 and Shaun Marsh dismissed for 18, there was every chance that the hosts could have run through the Baggy Greens’ line-up, but Hughes stood firm and will begin day five in partnership with skipper Michael Clarke, who faced 37 deliveries for his eight runs (Hughes & Clarke 5/6 4th Man Out).

While the draw is the favourite result, the early wicket of Hughes on Tuesday could set the cat among the pigeons, as Australia lead by just 52 runs with seven wickets remaining, and Sri Lanka possess a number of batsmen capable of scoring quick runs if they become involved in a run chase  late on the final day.