CRICKET: World one-day cricket champions Australia powered to their third successive win in the tri-nations contest when they crushed Sri Lanka by 142 runs at the WACA Ground in Perth yesterday to move back to the top of the series table.
Despite playing without the injured Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist, Australia were far too strong for the Sri Lankans, running up a formidable 305 for five before dismissing the tourists for 163.
Australia's total was built largely around a brilliant run-a-ball 119 from stand-in opener Darren Lehmann, with supporting roles coming from Matthew Hayden (64) and Michael Bevan (40 not out).
Sri Lanka were then blown away by the Australian pacemen, with Brett Lee and Shane Watson picking up three wickets each and Glenn McGrath grabbing a brace.
The world champions' victory was their third consecutive win in the series and lifts them above England in the table.
Chasing such a formidable total, a good start was crucial for Sri Lanka. It wasn't forthcoming, however. Captain, and key man, Sanath Jayasuriya (three) was out with the score on 15, chipping the ball to Andy Bichel off Lee.
Jayasuriya's opening partner, Marvan Atapattu, followed him back to the pavilion shortly afterwards, out for 15 after edging a McGrath delivery to wicketkeeper Ryan Campbell.
The wickets continued to fall - Jehan Mubarak the next to go having made just four. The 21-year-old sliced a drive to Hayden on the off-side to give McGrath his second wicket.
Mahela Jayawardene (21) and Russel Arnold (15) went relatively cheaply - Jayawardene the victim off a wonderful caught and bowled effort from man-of-the-match Lehmann.
A 78-run stand for the sixth wicket between Kumar Sangakkara (40) and Romesh Kaluwitharana (35) at least gave the Sri Lanka innings an air of respectability. But Watson returned to take both wickets and end the match as a contest.
Lee was ruthless with the tail, claiming two wickets in as many balls - Chaminda Vaas and Dilhara Fernando unable to cope with his blistering pace. He almost grabbed a hat-trick but Pulasthi Gunaratne failed to get an edge when prodding to a full length ball outside off stump. The number 11 couldn't keep out Watson, though, as the match finished seven overs early.
Earlier, Lehmann made the most of his opportunity to open the batting by recording his best one-day international score. He has struggled to make an impact in the Ashes series having been recalled at the expense of Mark Waugh. But he looked back to the form which has made him the highest-ever run scorer in Australian domestic cricket. The Southern Redbacks and Yorkshire skipper dominated the strike from the outset, and with Hayden, got the hosts off to a wonderful start.
Sri Lanka's opening bowlers Vaas and Gunaratne were unable to keep any kind of control as Australia's top two smashed the ball to all corners of the WACA.
The pair put on 162 in just 25.4 overs before Sri Lanka finally made a breakthrough. Jayasuriya tossed one up which Hayden attempted to loft over the leg-side, but only succeeded in picking out Jayawardene at mid-wicket. His 64 runs came from just 68 balls.
