Sydney, Jan 09: Unpredictable Sri Lanka staged a stunning form reversal to trounce Australia by 79 runs in a tri-nations series one-day clash under lights at the Sydney cricket ground today.
Winless in three earlier games in the contest and coming off the embarrassment of being rolled for 65 by Australia A, Sri Lanka outgunned the world champions in all areas.
Sri Lanka pummeled the home team`s attack in making 343 for five wickets before dismissing the opposition for 264 in 49.3 overs.
Captain Sanath Jayasuriya (122 from 105 balls) and Marvan Atapattu (101 from 124) rattled up a 237-run opening stand, the highest ever one-day international partnership in Australia and the highest for Sri Lanka for any wicket.
Man-of-the-match Jayasuriya then chipped in with a superb 4 for 39 with his probing spinners.
Sri Lanka`s total was the biggest at the ground and the highest against Australia, eclipsing the 326 for three wickets made by South Africa at Port Elizabeth last year.
Australia were never seriously in the hunt for victory after prolific opener Adam Gilchrist fell for six.
Captain Ricky Ponting soon followed for 15 and the game was all but lost at 36 for two.
Star test opener Matthew Hayden (35) departed at 78 for three.
Bureau Report
Bureau Report