Sanath sizzles on comeback

The Sri Lankan bowlers then put pressure on the Australians from the outset, reducing them to 41 for three before bowling them out for 258 on the final ball of their 50 overs. Super sub Malinga Bandara finished with four for 58, including grabbing two wickets in the final over.

Only wicketkeeper Brad Haddin (41), Michael Clarke (67) and Andrew Symonds, who had combined for 73 runs in 10.1 overs to look like they may steal the game for the world champions, produced any real resistance. Clarke and Symonds initially played themselves in before they began to accelerate and put pressure on the Sri Lankan field with some aggressive running between the wickets.

Symonds, however, was run out after a brilliant stop in the field by Tillakaratne Dilshan in the 36th over and Clarke fell five balls later when he holed out in the deep off Bandara to leave Australia 188 for seven. James Hopes (43) and Brad Hogg ensured Sri Lanka did not get a bonus point though the victory moved them to second on the tri-series table. The 36-year-old Jayasuriya scored 114 off 96 balls, his third one-day century at the venue, and combined with Kumar Sangakkara (78) in a 163-run second wicket partnership. The pair set about Australia’s pace attack, smashing Brett Dorey for 35 runs from four overs and 54 runs off medium pacer James Hopes’s first five overs. Mahela Jayawardene and captain Marvan Atapattu kept the score ticking over to ensure Sri Lanka passed 300 for only the second time against Australia.

Brief scores

Sri Lanka 309/7 in 50 overs (Sanath Jayasuriya 114, Kumara Sangakkara 78, Jayawardene 56, Nathan Bracken 2/40) bt Australia 258 all out in 50 overs (Michael Clarke 67, James Hopes 43, Brad Haddin 41, Malinga Bandara 4/58, Pereira 2/37)