CRICKET: Mike Hussey and Michael Clarke steered Australia to a five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in their triangular series one-day match in Adelaide yesterday.

Hussey (25 not out) and Clarke (16) ensured the world champions passed Sri Lanka's 218 for eight with nine balls remaining after the visitors' slow bowlers had put Australia under intense pressure in the final 10 overs.

Simon Katich (52), Damien Martyn (46) and Andrew Symonds (32) had taken Australia to 175 for three in the 41st over before Muttiah Muralitharan had Symonds caught deep then bowled Martyn two balls later to give his side a chance of victory.

Australia still needed 42 runs off 59 deliveries and Clarke and Hussey ticked the runs off with care. Australia moved to 14 points on the table, five ahead of Sri Lanka, with South Africa on eight.