World Cup champions Sri Lanka broke a run of eight successive one-day defeats when they beat Australia by three wickets yesterday in Hobart for their first win of the triangular series. Marvan Atapattu struck 82 and captain Arjuna Ranatunga shrugged off injury to hit an unbeaten 45 as Sri Lanka reached their target of 211 with three deliveries of their 50 overs to spare.

A late slump in which five wickets tumbled for 35 threatened Sri Lanka's victory ambitions, but they finished with 211 for seven after Australia made 210 for nine in their 50 overs.

Ranatunga, limping noticeably after straining a calf muscle while fielding on a soft Bellerive Oval, needed a runner, but his 61-ball innings ensured his side's success after they slipped from 163 for three to 198 for seven.

Leg-spinner Shane Warne, who finished with three for 45 off his 10 overs, and paceman Glenn McGrath, with one for 33 off his 10, did the damage.

Sri Lanka had been put on course for victory by a 116-run second wicket partnership off 71 balls between Atapattu and opener Romesh Kaluwitharana (54).

Atapattu's 82 came off 121 balls in 168 minutes and included six fours.

England lead the tri-nation series on eight points, with Australia on four and Sri Lanka, who have a match in hand, on two. The top two qualify for the best-of-three finals.

Australia went into the match without Ricky Ponting, who was dropped after being involved in a fight outside a Sydney nightclub. Adding to their woes were injuries to Steve Waugh and Michael Bevan.

Waugh was unable to field during Sri Lanka's innings after suffering a recurrence of the hamstring injury that kept him out of the early matches of the series. He felt a sharp twinge as he was running between wickets during his innings of 20.

Team officials said it was in the same area of his left leg as his old injury and he was almost certain to miss Australia's next two matches of the series, against Sri Lanka again on Sunday and England on Tuesday.

Bevan suffered a minor strain to his right groin, saying he felt it while batting and then aggravated it in the field. He was replaced by Tasmanian bowler Damien Wright.

Sri Lanka next play England in Adelaide tomorrow.