Free-scoring David Warner was angry after missing out on a century for Australia against Sri Lanka in the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday.

Warner looked on track for his fourth Test century before he charged finger spinner Tillakaratne Dilshan and was well caught over his shoulder by Dhammika Prasad, back-pedalling at long-on.

The dashing left-hander's 85 came off just 84 balls in 150 minutes and he looked in full command of the Sri Lankan attack, defending a below-par first innings total of 294.

Warner, who was involved in the run out of his opening partner Ed Cowan in the eighth over, put on 130 runs for the second wicket with Phil Hughes in just 122 minutes.

Warner gave few chances before his dismissal but had a big moment on 70 on the second ball after lunch when the TV umpire turned down a leg before wicket appeal off spinner Rangana Herath.

Warner's wicket left Australia on 166 for two in the 35th over.