Cricket: Australia get last minute test win

Australia celebrate their win in the first test over Sri Lanka. Photo / Getty Images

Australia claimed victory in the dying stages of the first test against Sri Lanka in Hobart last night.

The Sri Lankans fought galantly in a bid to draw the test when their chase for the 393 runs needed to win became impossible.

They got to 255 and with only a few overs left in the day before Australia claimed the last wicket required.

Sri Lanka required another 207 runs after tea to win but that option was off the table well before lunch, with survival the main aim for the tourists.

Shaminda Eranga was unable to nurse the Sri Lankans through to an unlikely draw as Mitchell Starc had him edging off a rising delivery through to the keeper.

Sri Lanka team manager Charith Senanayake says the tourists have had an informal conversation with ICC match referee Chris Broad about Peter Siddle allegedly lifting the seam on the ball.

"It's unofficial, but it's on video and the whole world has seen it so let's see what action they will take," Senanayake said.

In the only wicket to fall in the opening session, Michael Clarke completed a brilliant low catch at first slip despite nursing a hamstring injury to dismiss rival captain Mahela Jayawardene for 19 after a full-length delivery from Siddle.

Kumar Sangakkara was given out lbw to Shane Watson for 54 and Samaraweera was adjudged lbw to Siddle for 18, but both decisions were overturned on appeal to the third umpire.

However in a key breakthrough Sangakkara was lbw to Siddle on 63 at 4-151 after lunch and this time Sri Lanka found no love coming from the third-umpire after replays confirmed his dismissal.

Mathews was struck on the elbow by a short ball from Mitchell Starc and spent five minutes receiving on-field treatment before finally resuming at the crease.

Just 10 overs after taking the second new ball, Clarke made the bizarre move of throwing the ball to wicketkeeper Matthew Wade for a maiden over of medium-pace just before tea.

Phil Hughes took over behind the stumps.

Occasional spinner David Warner has also had a bowl.

Australia were a bowler short after paceman Ben Hilfenhaus broke down with a side strain during Sri Lanka's first innings on Sunday.

-AAP