Dogged Sri Lankan resistance and bad light denied Shane Warne the chance to become the leading wicket-taker in Test history as Australia completed a 1-0 series win amid dramatic scenes in Cairns yesterday.

Warne drew level with Muttiah Muralitharan's world-record total of 527 Test wickets but was unable to claim it outright after the Sri Lankan tail held out on the final day to earn a draw in the second Test. Sri Lanka were on 183 for eight when umpires Aleem Dar and Billy Bowden took the teams off because of the fading light.

That meant Warne, who had taken seven wickets in the match, missed possibly his best chance to break Muralitharan's record.

Murali had opted to sit out the tour for personal reasons but should return to Test action in August when Sri Lanka host South Africa in two Tests.

The off-spinner has proved prolific on his home pitches, and with Australia now not playing again until October when they tour India the world record could by then be out of Warne's reach.

Warne moved on to 526 wickets when he removed the obdurate Kumar Sangakkara for 66. By that stage, the atmosphere at the picturesque Bundaberg Rum Stadium was nearing electric - and it was soon to climb another notch when Warne grabbed his final wicket, Upul Chandana given out stumped by Adam Gilchrist after being referred to the third umpire.

But despite his best efforts, Warne was unable to breach the defences of tailenders Chaminda Vaas and Nuwan Zoysa, who finished unbeaten on 11 and three respectively. It was a bitter-sweet end to a Test that Australia needed only to draw to seal a series win courtesy of their 149-run victory in the opening match.

* Brian Lara shook off a bout of flu as he and Devon Smith notched centuries and dominated the afternoon session of the opening day for the West Indies against an MCC side including Matthew Hoggard and Simon Jones at Arundel. Lara raced to an 89-ball ton with 17 fours and one six in the tourists' opening first-class match of the summer.