Sri Lanka took regular wickets to restrict Australia to a disappointing total of 231 in their one-day international clash at the WACA Ground in Perth.
The tourists, coming off a loss to India on Wednesday, won the toss and somewhat surprisingly elected to field first on another hot day in Perth and bowled Australia out in the 50th over.
Skipper Michael Clarke top-scored with a patient 57 while all five of Sri Lanka's bowlers took two wickets apiece.
With the exception of Matthew Wade and Ricky Ponting, who were both dismissed for 1, Australia's batsmen failed to make the most of handy starts on what proved to a be a tough WACA track to judge.
Opener David Warner (34) and middle order match-winners Michael (23) and David Hussey (27) all looked comfortable at the crease but fell victim to some sharp bowling and fielding by Sri Lanka.
That forced Clarke into playing a pedestrian innings as wickets fell around him, bringing up his half-century in 80 balls while a 56-run stand with Dan Christian (33 off 44) proved vital for the sixth wicket.
But the departure of Christian, Clarke and Ryan Harris (3) in successive overs exposed the tail and saw Australia labour to the 50-over mark.
Clint McKay managed a handy run-a-ball 25 before becoming the final man to go, falling to a terrific catch by Lahiru Thirimanne on the boundary to cap off an overall brilliant display in the field by Sri Lanka.
Nuwan Kulasekara (2 for 39) bowled well with the new ball and dismissed Wade in just the fourth over with Ponting following after being given out lbw to Lasith Malinga (2 for 48).
Angelo Mathews (2 for 37) was rewarded with the scalp of Warner and Australia was 3 for 50 inside the opening 10 overs.
Hussey managed 23 off 32 before falling to an impressive return catch by Kulasekara and David Hussey and Clarke's stand of 49 was ended just at it began to pick up speed.
Christian started quick out of the blocks but was stumped off the bowling of inexperienced all-rounder Sachithra Senanayake (2 for 45) before Mathews returned to take the key wicket of Clarke.
Listen to ABC Grandstand's live broadcast of the second innings
Tags: sport, onedayseries, cricket, perth-6000, wa, australia First posted February 10, 2012 19:26:18
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