Herath could have a key role in Muttiah Muralitharan's absence

Sri Lanka are well placed to win their warm-up game ahead of the Test series in Australia following good bowling by spinner Rangana Herath.

He took 4-45 on day three in Darwin as a Northern Territory Chief Minister's XI slumped to 145-9 before declaring.

It left Sri Lanka with a victory target of 187 and they were 6-1 at the close after Glenn McGrath bowled Sanath Jayasuriya for one.

Kumar Sangakkara had earlier made 203 not out in their first innings.

Resuming on 163 not out, he advanced to his double century off 306 balls, with a six and 21 fours before acting skipper Mahela Jayawardene declared with the score on 378-7, a first innings deficit of 41.

The home side made a respectable start in reply as Anthony Williams and Ian Redpath shared a stand of 33 before Redpath fell to Dilhara Fernando for six.

Williams followed for 23 when he was caught behind off Lasith Malinga, and Australian Test batsman Simon Katich suffered his second failure of the game when he was lbw to Farveez Maharoof for 12.

Sangakkara has yet to play Test cricket in Australia

The Chairman's XI continued to decline as Herath removed Ken Skewes for 14 and then bowled captain Justin Langer, who made 151 on the opening day, for nought with the total on 77.

Rhett Bowden top scored with 28 but was then lbw to Herath, who was well supported by leg-spinner Upul Chandana (2-29) as they worked through the tail.

Langer opted to give his bowlers a go at the Sri Lankan openers before the close and McGrath lifted his confidence ahead of what he hopes will be his firwst Test appearance for almost a year by finding a way through Jayasuriya's defence.

It was only his second success of the game, having toiled for 24 overs in the first innings for figures of 1-62.

Chief Minister's XI: Justin Langer (capt), Ian Redpath, Simon Katich, Rhett Bowden, Ashley Williams, Ken Skewes, Martin Brown (wkt), Darren Treumer, Anthony Dent, Terry Bayly, Glenn McGrath, Greg Brautigam.

Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumara Sangakkara, Tilan Samaraweera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Russel Arnold, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Upul Chandana, Dilhara Fernando, Farveez Maharoof, Rangana Herath, Lasith Malinga.