Christian Takes Hat-trick Against Sri Lanka

Melbourne: Australian all-rounder Dan Christian secured the 31st one-day international hat-trick in a triseries match against Sri Lanka at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.

The 28-year-old, who made his international debut earlier this month, struck in the 44th over of Sri Lanka's innings to remove Thisara Perera, Sachithra Senanayake and Nuwan Kulasekera in successive balls.

Perera was caught for five at deep midwicket by Mike Hussey, who threw the ball in the air as he felt himself falling over the boundary and jumped back over the rope to take the catch.

Senanayake played and missed a full, straight delivery and was adjudged lbw for a golden duck, as was Kulasekera on the next ball in similar circumstances to prompt wild celebrations from Christian and his team mates.

Christian was the fourth Australian to take a hat-trick in a 50-over international after Bruce Reid (1986), Anthony Stuart (1997) and Brett Lee (2003).

Scores	Upcoming	Results
South Africa vs Pakistan - 3rd ODI 4th Test - Australia v India - December 26-30, 23:30 GMT 1st Test - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 26-30, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Harare Afghanistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining) 3rd T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh at St Vincent Bangladesh won by 80 runs

Related links

Commonwealth Bank Series 2011/12 News

McKay Fiver Seals CB Series, Beat Sri Lanka [+]

Pacer Clint McKay (5-28) helped Australia beat Sri Lanka by 16 runs in the deciding match of the three-game triseries finals to win the CB series.

Sri Lanka Opt to Bowl in 3rd Final, Lyon Debuts [+]

Sri Lanka named an unchanged team while Australia brought in Peter Forrest and Nathan Lyon for the deciding match of the best-of-three triseries final.

Sri Lanka Eye Tri-series Title Against Australia [+]

A rejuvenated Sri Lanka would look to exploit the injury problems and bowling woes of Australia when the two teams clash for the title in the third and last final of the triseries on Thursday.

All-round Dilshan to Force Third Final [+]

Riding high on brilliant knocks from Dilshan and Jayawardene, Lanka thrashed Australia by 8 wickets in the second final of the tri-series at Adelaide.

Australia Bat, Fit Warner to Play in 2nd Final [+]

Australian captain Michael Clarke won the toss and chose to bat against Sri Lanka in the second final of the triseries at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide.

Host Eye Triseries Title Against Sri Lanka [+]

Just a step away from clinching the title, Australia will be hoping to seal the issue on Tuesday when they take on Sri Lanka in the second triseries final.

David Warner Doubtful for Second Final [+]

Explosive opener David Warner is doubtful for the second final against Sri Lanka on Tuesday after injuring his groin during his career-best 163-run knock in the first final on Sunday.

Warner Take Hard-fought 1-0 Lead [+]

Led by David Warner's gallant 163, Australia took 1-0 lead in the three-game finals as they beat Sri Lanka by 15 runs in the first final of the triseries at Gabba.

Sri Lanka Face Australia in Tri-series Finals [+]

Australia and Sri Lanka will battle it out in best-of-three finals with the spirited islanders well-equipped to upstage the hosts in the triseries summit clashes.

Sri Lanka Hold Nerve to Seal Finals Berth [+]

India were finally knocked out of the triseries as Sri Lanka brought a heart-breaking end to their nervous wait with a nail-biting nine-run victory over Australia.