SYDNEY: Run outs continued to haunt Australia's batting as they edged 48 runs ahead of Sri Lanka with four first innings wickets remaining on the second day of the third Test in Sydney on Friday.

The Australians threatened to bat the hapless tourists out of the Test, only for Ed Cowan and Mike Hussey, playing in his farewell Test match, to be run out in chaotic mix-ups between the wickets.

That made it four run outs in the three-Test series against the Sri Lankans and topscorer Phil Hughes said it was a glitch that would have to be addressed going forward for Australia's coming series against India and England this year.

“There were two run-outs today. I think that's four in the series. That's something we've got to look at going forward,” said Hughes, who scored 87.

“It's never nice to be run out, especially in Test cricket, the big moments. That's something we've got to address going forward.”

Hussey was given a guard of honour by the applauding Sri Lankan players as he came out to bat in his 79th and final Test after announcing his retirement from international cricket.

But the 37-year-old veteran lasted 51 balls before he was needlessly run out in possibly his final Test innings for 25 as Michael Clarke took off for a quick single.

Dimuth Karunaratne scored a direct hit with his throw at the striker's end and a desperate Hussey failed to make his ground.

Clarke looked back in horror from the bowler's end as he sacrificed the wicket of his batting partner amid the emotion of his farewell Test.

Opener Cowan also ran himself out for four inside the opening half hour when he hesitated going for a second run and was beaten to the bowler's end by Nuwan Pradeep's throw.

It was the third time in Tests that Cowan has been involved in a run out and twice he himself has been run out. “It's never nice to get run out but we know that's cricket at the end of the day,” Hughes said of the Hussey dismissal. “You could tell even looking from the side, Pup (Clarke) was obviously disappointed.”

Asked what could be done to rectify the self-destructing running between wickets, Hughes said:

“Call louder and clearer? Seriously though, It's something we'll talk about after the series.

“Three (run outs) for the top three and four in the series. It's something we've got to look at going forward and stop that.”