Sri Lanka will try to surpass Australia's first innings total of 517 when the second cricket Test resumes in Cairns.

With a draw looming as the most likely result, much interest will be on Shane Warne's slow march towards the world record for Test wickets.

He currently has 2-117 in Sri Lanka's first innings and is five shy of Muttiah Muralitharan's mark of 527.

The fourth day will start 30 minutes early and will be extended past the scheduled stumps time in order to make up for 21 overs lost Friday to bad light.

Sri Lanka will return at 5-411, with Thilan Samaraweera on 53 and wicketkeeper Romesh Kaluwitharana on 30.

The pair has added 66 so far for the sixth wicket.

Sri Lanka currently trails Australia by 106 runs.

Australian coach John Buchanan said the advantage was still slightly with his team because of the lead but admitted a result other than a draw was unlikely on a near-perfect batting wicket.

Buchanan said the game would only up if one side mucked up their second innings.

"If either side falters with the bat - a session where you lose four or five wickets - it will give the other side the opportunity for the win," Buchanan said.

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