| Scores | Upcoming | Results |
Perth: A discipline bowling attack led by young Xavier Doherty (2-24) helped Australia maintain their winning run as the hosts beat Sri Lanka by 5 runs in the third match of the ODI tri-series at the WACA ground in Perth on Friday.
Chasing a modest 232-run target, Sri Lanka lost wickets at regular intervals as they were reduced to 7-143 in 34.1 overs before finally folding-up for 226 in 49.5 overs.
Angelo Mathews top-scored for the Lankans with a well-made 64 off 76 balls, which included a six and four boundaries. Mathews stitched an impressive 46 runs for the tenth wicket - a record against Australia in ODIs - with Dammika Prasad (15 not out) as they show their fighting spirit in the end.
Mathews also added valuable 32 runs for the eighth wicket with Sachithra Senanayake (9) to ignite few hopes before Doherty outwitted Senanayake in the 42nd over to break the dangerous looking partnership.
All-rounder Daniel Christian struck again to dismiss Nuwan Kulasekara (8) as Lankans' misery continues.
Michael Clarke struck with his first ball to trap in-form Dinesh Chandimal (37) leg before as Sri Lanka continued to struggle in their run chase. Chandimal tried to steady the Lankan chase as he hit four boundaries in his 50-ball 37 innings.
Sri Lanka lost Lahiru Thirimanne (3) and skipper Mahela Jayawardene (13) in consecutive overs to hand over the initiatives to the Aussies. Xavier Doherty clean bowled Thirimanne to reduce the Lankans to 119/5 in 27.4 overs.
Jayawardene hit a four in his run-a-ball cameo of 13 runs before Daniel Christian got better of him in the 27th over.
Pacer Ryan Harris dismissed Dilshan in the 21st over to reduce Sri Lanka to 88/3. Dilshan played unusually vigilant knock of 40 off 57 balls which included four hits to the fence.
A terrible mixed-up with Dilshan end the Sangakkara's innings after the duo added 50-run stand to steady their run chase. Sangakkara hit three boundaries in his patient 32-ball 22.
Sri Lanka started their chase on a bad note as Mitchell Starc had Upul Tharanga caught by Michael Clarke at first slip in the fourth over.
Earlier, justifying Mahela Jayawardene's decision to bowl first, Sri Lankan bowlers came up with a fine display to bundle out Australia for 231 runs in 49.1 overs.
Clint McKay hit 3 fours in his run-a-ball 25 before Lahiru Thirimanne took a superb running catch at deep mid-wicket to dismiss him off Dhammika Prasad.
Mitchell Starc (14) and McKay added 32 runs for the ninth wicket to take Australia over the 200-run mark before falling to Prasad.
Australia lost their eighth wicket when Ryan Harris edged a good length delivery from Senanayake straight into the hands of Nuwan Kulasekara at short backward point.
Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene took a good catch at mid-wicket to dismiss his Australian counterpart Michael Clarke to gain the upper hand.
Clarke shuffled across and flicked a fullish delivery on legs uppishly to mid-wicket where Jayawardene dived to his right and pouched a nice reflex catch to give Angelo Mathews his second wicket.
Clarke departed after hitting his 50th half-century and his dismissal came in the over after Sachitra Senanayke had Daniel Christian stumped by Kumar Sangakkara.
Christian came down the track as Senanayake bowled a delivery that went straight on after landing. Christian missed his hoick and Sangakkara whipped off the bails calmly. Christian hit a six and 4 fours in his 33-run knock that came off 44 balls.
Lasith Malinga took his second wicket when he had David Hussey caught by Lahiru Thirimanne in the covers.
Hussey hit a 38-ball 27 before tried to flick a fullish delivery but got a leading edge to short cover where Thirimanne dived forward and pouched it inches above the ground.
Brief scores
Australia 231 (Clarke 57, Mathews 2-37)
Sri Lanka 226 (Mathews 64, Doherty 2-24)
Result Australia won by 5 runs
MOM Michael Clarke (Australia)
