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Brisbane: Australia have broken their seven-match losing streak sailed to victory in Game 3 of their ODI Series against Sri Lanka with Michael Clarke (50 not out) leading his men past their 116-run target in the 23rd over for the loss of just two wickets.
After wrapping up the series in impressive style with wins in Melbourne and Sydney, the visitors were a shadow of their best at the Gabba and were unable to build momentum at any stage of the day's play.
While the Aussie batters sailed to their small target with ease, it was the bowlers who had won the day with a much improved performance, particularly from man of the match Clint McKay who took 5-33.
The Australians made a confident start to their short run chase with both Haddin and Watson showing enough trust in the pitch to drive confidently through the infield.
Within three overs the Aussie openers had reduced the runs required to less than 100 and the pair looked in control as both Lasith Malinga and Dilhara Fernando appeared guilty of trying too hard for wicket-balls.
After five overs the Aussies had raced to 34 without loss, but the Sri Lankans had a breakthrough in the sixth when Watson was cramped for room by Fernando and edged to Angelo Matthews at first slip.
Stand-in skipper Michael Clarke came to the wicket looking to benefit from some time in the middle, but soon found it would be no walk in the park as Fernando sent down a series of scorching deliveries at over 145km/h.
Clarke was happy to take a moment to get his eye in, but was soon playing some attractive shots, including a beautiful on-drive to take his side to 50 in the 9th over.
Clarke was beginning to burn, and with a pair of sensational front-foot pull-shots to the boundary he had soon overtaken Haddin on the scoresheet.
The Australians went to the break at 1-63 and when they returned Clarke and Haddin moved to up the rate, taxing Jeevan Mendis for ten runs in the first over back.
In the next over Fernando should have had his second wicket, but, after drawing a false shot from Haddin, Mendis grassed the simplest of chancest at widish mid-off.
Fernando eventually had his man with the final ball of the 14th over, making sure of the dismissal by circling round to personally take Haddin's skied attempted hook.
Hussey joined his skipper and together the pair picked off the remaining runs with a minimum of fuss, reaching 100 in the 17th over and then passing their target in the 22nd as Clarke hit a boundary to bring up his half-century.
Clint McKay (5-33) was the clear Man of the Match, picking up three key wickets before the visitors had reached 15 to set the tone for the day.
In his second ODI appearance Mitchell Starc provided strong support, claiming figures of 4-27 and looking to be well suited to the pace and bounce of the Gabba wicket.
The Sri Lankans failed to ever build momentum in their innings and were always going to
struggle after McKay had dismissed Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Dilshan Tilakaratne for a combined total of one run.
Clint McKay has been named the man of the mnatch while Sri Lanka pacer Lasith Maligna has been awarded the played of the series. The Aussies now get ready to face a confident English side for the Ashes starting from the 25th of November while the Lankans head back home to play the West Indians, the first Test starting from the 15th of November.
Brief scores
Sri Lanka 115 (Silva 33, McKay 5-33, Starc 4-27)
Australia 119 for 2 (Clarke 50*)
Result Australia won by 8 wickets
MOM Client McKay (Australia)
Man of the series Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka)
