VB Series, 2005-06

At Docklands Stadium, Melbourne, January 13, 2006 (day/night). Australia won by 116 runs. Australia 5 pts. Toss: Sri Lanka. One-day international debut: M. G. Vandort.

Sri Lanka, who had lost by seven wickets against Victoria in their sole warm-up game, were again well beaten. Atapattu chose to field first despite a flat wicket, suggesting anxiety about his inexperienced top order. Gilchrist departed early after a wild swing, but three Australians gathered half-centuries at varying speeds, pushing the total beyond 300. Symonds, who faced 61 balls for his 66, might have caused further damage had he not been freakishly caught when a straightdriven bullet rebounded off the boot of Clarke, the non-striker, into the hands of Dilshan at midon. Atapattu's fears seemed well founded when the first three wickets fell cheaply. Lee intimidated the debutant Michael Vandort to such an extent that he spent 117 balls over 48. Vandort's tardiness ensured both a soporific conclusion, and his omission for the rest of the series.

Man of the Match: A. Symonds. Attendance: 33,930.