Australia clinches series

They may have received a rare scare on day four, but in the end the Australians cantered to Test victory number 14 in succession on Tuesday as Sri Lanka's hopes of pulling off a record run chase on the final day of the second Test in Hobart evaporated in just one session.

After enjoying their best day of a lop-sided series on day four, when they cruised to 3-247 in pursuit of a record fourth-innings total of 507, Sri Lanka collapsed on the final day losing six wickets in the first session before being bowled out for 410 in the third over after lunch.

Australia won the Test by 96 runs to clinch a 2-0 series victory but could so easily have been beaten here had Sri Lanka found someone capable of supporting star batsman Kumar Sangakkara.

Sangakkara, Sri Lanka's best batsman and the No.4-ranked batsman in the world, had warned overnight his team could not afford to lose early wickets if they hoped to pull off a miracle win - considering the previous highest fourth-innings run chase in Test history was 418 set by the West Indies against Australia in Antigua in 2003.

Glimpses of Sangakkara century ;

The previous highest at Bellerive was 369 by Australia against Pakistan in 1999.

But with Sangakkara not out 109 overnight and veteran Sanath Jayasuriya also well set on 33 and the wicket showing few demons, there were high hopes the all-conquering Australians could finally face a genuine contest on the final day of a Test match.

However it was not to be as Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson soon ensured the last day ran to its usual script.

Knowing the key to victory was breaking the Sangakkara/Jayasuriya partnership as early as possible - given Sri Lanka's batting vulnerability from number six down - Lee needed just five overs to make the all-important breakthrough.

It came when Jaysuriya slashed outside off stump on 45 and keeper Adam Gilchrist took a smart catch low down.

The disappointing Chamara Silva then again offered no resistance - despite being the last specialist batsman - departing for a duck when he edged the impressive Johnson to skipper Ricky Ponting at second slip.

Johnson was then on a hat-trick when keeper Prasanna Jayawardene completed a pair for the match when he shouldered arms first ball and was adjudged LBW.

Leg spinner Stuart MacGill then picked up a wicket with a rank long hop which fast bowler Farveez Maharoof could only scoop to Lee at mid-on.

Dilhara Fernando then ran himself out first ball, looking for a third run, much to the bemusement of Sangakkara - who was easily keeping the Aussie bowlers at bay but lacked support.

The hard-hitting left hander bought up his 150 off 246 balls with his 20th boundary and looked set for a third double century in three Tests until he was given out on 192 - caught at second slip by Ponting off the bowling of Stuart Clark.

That blow, just before lunch, ended any chance of a shock Sri Lanka win and while the visitors scraped through to lunch at nine down, the end came soon after when Muttiah Muralidaran was bowled by Lee for 15.

That wicket gave the blond speedster - who was later named man of the match and series - his fourth successive four-wicket haul of the series.