Dan Christian claimed a hat-trick as Australia bowled Sri Lanka out for 238 in their crucial one-day international at the MCG.
Sri Lanka need a win or a tie to advance ahead of India to the best-of-three finals series against Australia, which starts in Brisbane on Sunday.
While Australia had little to play for on Friday, Christian made sure of his place in the side for the finals series with a stunning performance of 5 for 31 from his nine overs.
Christian's hat-trick came in the 44th over as Thisara Perera fell to a spectacular juggling catch by Mike Hussey on the boundary rope at deep mid-wicket for 5.
Sachitra Senanayake and Nuwan Kulasekara were adjudged LBW for ducks in the following two deliveries, although replays suggested the Kulasekara dismissal was dubious and the ball was missing leg stump.
It is just the fourth hat-trick by an Australian in an one-day international match.
Young paceman James Pattinson claimed 4 for 51 in his first international match since injuring his foot in the Sydney Test two months ago.
Pattinson's career-best haul included the key wickets of Dinesh Chandimal (75), Kumar Sangakkara (64) and Lahiru Thirimanne (51).
Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene won the toss but failed to give his side a solid platform. The skipper was run out by David Hussey for 5 and Tillakaratne Dilshan fell caught behind off Pattinson for 9.
Chandimal came to the crease at 2 for 17. The 22-year-old was able to steady the innings by combining with ex-skipper Sangakkara to add 123 for the third wicket.
Pattinson's extra pace contributed to Sangakkara falling caught at deep backward square in the 29th over.
Chandimal was caught at mid-off in the 39th over, robbing the tourists of momentum heading into the final phase of the innings.
Xavier Doherty took a fine running catch off Christian's bowling to dismiss Angelo Mathews for five at 5 for 195.
Christian was mobbed by team-mates after his hat-trick reduced Sri Lanka to 8 for 206 and the last two wickets to fall were Thirimanne bowled by Pattinson and Lasith Malinga, who was bowled by Christian for 2.
Australia rested Brett Lee (foot) and skipper Michael Clarke (back/hamstring), while Sri Lanka recalled off-spinner Senanayake for injured paceman Farveez Maharoof.
AAP
Tags: sport, cricket, australia First posted March 02, 2012 18:09:38
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