Triple World champions Australia again came up with a clinical performance against a surprisingly depleted Sri Lankan side to post a seven-wicket victory in a Super Eights match at the World Cup on Monday.
After dismissing Sri Lanka for 226, they romped to 232 for three in 42.4 overs.
Electing to bat, the Lankans were reduced to 27 for three inside the first seven overs.
Nathan Bracken, who returned outstanding figures of four for 19 from 9.4 overs, did most of the damage.
Sanath Jayasuriya started brightly by punching the final ball of Bracken's opening over for four through the covers and gathered another boundary when a top-edged hook flew over Adam Gilchrist's head to the boundary.
He had reached 12 from as many balls when he was leg before playing across a full-length delivery from Bracken.
Bracken then piled on the Lankan agony by enticing a catch from Upul Tharanga (6) after beating the left-hander outside the off-stump on the first three deliveries.
Bracken returned to take the wickets of Farveez Maharoof and Nuwan Kulasekara.
Though Ricky Ponting and Andrew Symonds came up with good knocks to chase down the Sri Lankan total quickly, for his fine bowling, he deservedly walked away with the man of the match award.
Photograph: Getty Images
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